Alabama football countdown to kickoff: 84 days

If you can believe it, we are officially under the 90-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 11, that means we are only 84 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 84 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 55 days away.

Who currently wears the No. 84?

At this time, there isn’t anyone — scholarship player or walk-on — wearing the No. 84 for Alabama. Jacob Boykins, a walk-on receiver, is still on the team after wearing it last season, but he has since decided to switch to the No. 88.

Of course, the more recognizable name to wear No. 84 in 2021 was now former wide receiver Agiye Hall. After being a top-40 prospect and top-5 receiver in the 2021 On3 Consensus, the once Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale standout only spent one season in Tuscaloosa before transferring to Texas.

We’ll see if the No. 84 gets picked up in the fall.

Who’s a noteworthy former player to wear it?

Hale Hentges is a name most Alabama fans are going to know. But for those outside of Alabama and Missouri, where the 6-foot-5, 251-pound tight end was from, his name might not be as recognizable.

Don’t get me wrong, Hentges was a highly recruited player coming out of Jefferson City, Mo. back in 2015. In the On3 Consensus, he was a four-star prospect who was rated as the No. 170 overall player, No. 4 tight end and No. 2 player from the state of Missouri. He picked Alabama over top programs such as Georgia, Florida, Ohio State and Oklahoma.

During his college career, Hentges was more so known for his blocking prowess than his receiving ability. In four seasons, he only brought in 15 catches for 124 yards, but six of those did go for touchdowns during his junior and senior years combined.

That wasn’t enough to get Hentges drafted though. He did sign an undrafted free agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts and even made the initial 53-man roster coming out of training camp in 2019, but was eventually waived in early October of that season.

From there, he latched on with the Washington Commanders and went on to play in 11 games with four starts for the franchise as a rookie. He even caught 8 of his 14 targets for 103 yards and scored a touchdown in Week 16 against the New York Giants.

Unfortunately, Hentges was released the following season and briefly spent time on practice squads for the Colts (again) and the Minnesota Vikings. Hentges hasn’t played since 2020 and officially announced his retirement back in late March of 2021.

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.)