Alabama player wins Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy Award

The Alabama Crimson Tide has just started spring practice but somebody on the roster has already won an individual award for their performances. Freshman offensive lineman Tyler Booker was announced as the winner of the Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy Award on Monday morning.

The Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy Award is “presented to the best African-American high school football player in the country,” according to their official Twitter account. Being the son of William Booker and Tashona Booker, Tyler joins past players such as former Heisman Trophy winner and Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston as a winner of the award.

Five other players were considered for the award in Braden Davis, Elijah Green, Harold Perkins, Brenen Thompson, Wesley Williams. Booker ended up the winner, thanks to his 3.6 high school GPA and off-the-field volunteer activities.

Coming out of high school, Booker was ranked a five-star prospect according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting services. Booker was the No. 29 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class and the No. 3 offensive tackle.

Originally from New Haven, Conn, Booker transferred to IMG Academy after his freshman season. Now, he will be playing his college football in Tuscaloosa under new offensive line coach Eric Wolford. A few spots will be available in the starting lineup come the season opener on Sept. 3 against Utah State, with Booker having the opportunity to compete in spring practice.

Former Alabama wide receiver expected to be hired by Ole Miss

The Ole Miss Rebels are expected to add a former Alabama wide receiver to Lane Kiffin’s staff. According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, Ole Miss is hiring Kevin Norwood to the Rebels support staff.

“Ole Miss is expected to hire former Alabama and NFL wide receiver Kevin Norwood in a support staff capacity, sources tell @on3sports,” Zenitz tweeted. “Had been working at Louisiana as a quality control coach.”

Norwood played at Alabama from 2010 through 2013, hauling in 81 career receptions for 1,275 career yards and 12 touchdowns. He was then selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Norwood only played in ten games during his NFL career. Nine of those were in 2014 as a rookie in Seattle, where he caught nine passes for 102 yards. He then played one game with the Carolina Panthers in 2015, and spent time in the Chargers and Giants organizations before his playing career came to an end.