Alabama freshman formerly known as Ryqueze McElderry changes name on official team roster

When the National Letter of Intents was rolling through the fax machine in Tuscaloosa, offensive lineman Ryqueze McElderry was a top signing. One of the five guys Alabama was taking up front, OL coach Eric Wolford was able to flip McElderry from Georgia. A big in-state win in the 2023 cycle.

However, a player named Ryqueze McElderry is no longer in the program. A name change has occurred as the official Alabama spring roster was released. The offensive lineman now goes by Roq Montgomery.

He also made the switch over on Instagram as well, making it official on social media. A new era of the young man’s life with college football comes with a new name.

“Alabama incoming freshman offensive lineman Ryqueze McElderry now lists his name as Roq Montgomery on both his Instagram and the school’s official roster,” Mike Rodak of AL.com tweeted.

Alabama incoming freshman offensive lineman Ryqueze McElderry now lists his name as Roq Montgomery on both his Instagram and the school’s official roster. pic.twitter.com/zrg4WBwrZF

— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) February 15, 2023

Montgomery played high school football at Anniston (AL) Anniston School, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 310 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The freshman is hoping to become just the latest offensive lineman Alabama has produced. He will join a loaded room full of all kinds of blue-chip prospects, hoping to pull through. Now with the last name Montgomery on the back of his jersey, he will hit spring camp within the next month.

Former Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden dismissed from Oregon program

In light of the news of his arrest, Oregon has dismissed former Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden from their program, per Jarrid Denney of Scoop Duck.

According to Denney, Holden was arrested early Wednesday morning, and the wide receiver is now facing three charges — menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, and coercion. Additionally, Denney reports that Holden is currently in custody, according to records from Lane County Jail.

Following the news of the arrest, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning released a statement issued via an athletic department spokesperson, stating Holden has been dismissed from the team. 

“We are aware of the incident involving Traeshon Holden, and he has been dismissed from our team,” Lanning said. “We have high standards for the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in our football program, and we are disappointed when these standards are not met.

“We will continue to hold everyone in our program accountable for meeting our expectations.”