Alabama football countdown to kickoff: 77 days

If you can believe it, we are officially under the 80-day mark until Alabama is back on a live-game football field. After coming up short in the national championship game against Georgia back in January, the Crimson Tide will once again be searching for its seventh title under Nick Saban.

This year’s season opener will be against the Utah State Aggies on Sept. 3 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. With today being June 18, that means we are only 77 days away from the return of Alabama football. The team here at BamaOn3 is ready to celebrate every day of the countdown standing between now and then.

With opening week 77 days away, let’s focus on a player — both past and present — who has represented that number.

*Note: BamaOn3 is also doing a Countdown to Fall Camp, which is only 48 days away.

Who currently wears the No. 77?

For the second year in a row, offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts will wear the No. 77 for Alabama. He wore it as a true freshman last season after it went unused in 2019, but the real question is whether or not the Houston native will take a step towards contributing.

With Javion Cohen and Emil Ekiyor Jr. both returning at offensive guard, Roberts likely won’t start. But where does he end up on Alabama’s depth chart? Can he take over for JC Latham, who is currently projected to start at right tackle, in a “first guy off the bench” type role? Or will it be Damieon George?

These are questions that are likely to be answered in fall camp.

Who’s a noteworthy former player to wear it?

There are multiple noteworthy players who have worn the No. 77 for Alabama over the years. We could talk about linebacker Barry Krauss, Matt Womack or several others. But instead, let’s talk about a JUCO success story from earlier in the Nick Saban era.

Coming out of high school, James Carpenter only earned one Division I offer: Iowa State. That was originally the plan, but academic issues landed the big offensive lineman Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. After two years, Carpenter elected to sign with Alabama, which turned out to be the correct decision.

He was tasked with replacing All-America and recent top-10 draft pick Andre Smith at left tackle. Mission accomplished, as the Hephzibah (Ga.) native became a two-year starter and even landed first-team All-SEC honors in 2010.

From there, we was a surprisingly first-round draft pick (No. 25 overall) in 2011.

After playing four seasons with the team that drafted him (Seattle Seahawks), Carpenter went on to have successful stints with the New York Jets (2015-18) and Atlanta Falcons (2019-20). This past season, he spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints. He has played in 132 NFL games with 122 starts.

Carpenter is currently a free agent.

2022 Alabama Football Schedule

Sept. 3 vs. Utah State Aggies (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Sept. 10 at Texas Longhorns (Austin, Tex.)

Sept. 17 vs. UL-Monroe Warhawks (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Sept. 24 vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Oct. 1 at Arkansas Razorbacks (Fayetteville, Ark.)

Oct. 8 vs. Texas A&M Aggies (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Oct. 15 at Tennessee Volunteers (Knoxville, Tenn.)

Oct. 22 vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Oct. 29 – OPEN WEEK

Nov. 5 at LSU Tigers (Baton Rouge, La.)

Nov. 12 at Ole Miss Rebels (Oxford, Miss.)

Nov. 19 vs. Austin Peay Governors (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Nov. 26 vs. Auburn Tigers (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

Dec. 3 – SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Atlanta, Ga.)