Alabama veteran opts to return for super-senior year

Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide are getting a veteran back for a sixth year. Tight end/offensive lineman Kendall Randolph announced on Tuesday that he plans to use his last year of eligibility in Tuscaloosa.

“I’ve always wanted to go out on top, and this season did not end the way that I hoped it would,” Randolph wrote. “We did not complete the mission, and I can’t leave knowing I could have done more.

“With that being said, I will be returning for my final season and cannot wait to get back to work. I know that we have a special group of guys coming back. The 2022 season cannot get here soon enough.”

Randolph signed with Alabama in the 2017 recruiting class out of Bob Jones High in Madison, Alabama. He played both tight end and offensive line for Nick Saban during the last few years, including 13 starts at tight end.

The 6-foot-4, 298-pounder has not recorded an offensive stat in his time in Tuscaloosa and serves primarily as a reserve offensive lineman and blocking tight end.

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Alabama star Christian Harris announces 2022 decision

Alabama linebacker Christian Harris announced via Instagram that he will forego his senior season and enter the 2022 NFL Draft. On3’s Matt Zenitz previously reported that the continued expectation has been for the former four-star recruit to turn pro this season.

“Potential first-round pick who’s viewed by scouts as a Day 2 pick at worst,” Zenitz shared on Sunday.  Christian Harris sits behind only Utah’s Devin Lloyd and Georgia’s Nakobe Dean in ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s position rankings for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Harris made an immediate impact at Alabama, starting all three seasons at middle linebacker. He has finished in the top five on the team in tackles with 221 over his career, adding 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.

2021 was the most productive season yet for Harris, especially from a pass-rushing standpoint. After a 4.5-sack year in 2020, Harris posted 5.5 sacks this season with two forced fumbles while playing beside Tennessee transfer Henry To’o To’o.

The 6-foot-2, 244-pound linebacker was a top-150 prospect coming out of high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He chose Alabama over LSU, Texas A&M and two dozen other Division-I programs.

On3’s James Fletcher contributed to this report.