Alabama Rewind: The top stories you may have missed
There are many recruiting and team coverage features on BamaInsider each week. Many that you have miss. Below is a look back at several top Alabama-related stories featured on the site since Monday.
Don’t Miss: Five notable Alabama targets to keep an eye on
Keon Keeley has shoulder surgery
Keon Keeley, the No. 2 overall player on the 2023 On3 Consensus, had a procedure done on his left shoulder this week. Sources informed BamaInsider that this procedure, which was performed by Dr. Lyle Cain in Birmingham, took place on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
This was an issue that had been affecting Keeley during his senior season, though he still managed to record 17 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. Alabama wanted things to be taken care of prior to his campus arrival this summer.
According to our intel, Keeley is expected to be ready to go and should be 100 percent healthy by the time he enrolls in June.
Also worth noting is that Keeley spent time with his fellow 2023 signees last week as he made a detour to Tuscaloosa before his procedure. He also had an opportunity to catch up with future position coach Coleman Hutzler during the trip.
UGA commit still in contact with Alabama
Ellis Robinson, five-star cornerback from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, announced his commitment to Georgia on February 1. The choice wasn’t a major surprise. The Bulldogs were heavily predicted to add the nation’s top corner to its 2024 haul. Alabama finished No. 2.
Robinson remains in contact with defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson and also Sam Petitio, the Tide’s Director of Personnel Operations (ask Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith how important Petito was in his recruitment).
“I still have a good relationship,” Robinson said regarding his connection with T-Rob (Robinson). “Nothing has changed. He’s still recruiting me hard as usual. He was not upset at all (on the commitment to UGA). He just asked, ‘why so early?’ He still has love for me and my parents though.”
Robinson discussed his future visit plans with BamaInsider.
Five notable flip targets
In January, a couple of Alabama commits took visits to other schools. Five-star Jaylen Mbakwe made his way out to LSU the last weekend of the month, while Perry Thompson visited Auburn on Jan. 14.
Just as other programs are continuing to pursue Bama’s pledges, Nick Saban‘s staff is still in the hunt for prospects committed elsewhere.
In the 2023 cycle alone, Alabama flipped three recruits, those being Kadyn Proctor (Iowa), Roq Montgomery (Georgia), and Ty Lockwood (Ohio State). Also, while not direct flips, Eli Holstein‘s and Keon Keeley‘s interest in Bama played a role in them decommitting from their respective schools.
In the story below, BamaInsider highlights five 2024 prospects who are flip targets for the Crimson Tide. We’ll note that these are just a few noteworthy recruits and not the only players committed elsewhere that Bama is pursuing.
WR Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State Commitment)
Just two weekends ago, Smith told BamaInsider that he was hoping to hear more from Alabama’s staff. He says things have picked up with area recruiter Travaris Robinson, but informed us that he won’t consider a visit to the school unless there was more communication in general.
This is more of a wait-and-see situation in terms of seeing how Smith’s contact with other members of Bama’s program plays out.
While that’s up in the air, it’s clear that the Hollywood (Fla.) pass catcher would be receptive to hearing what Alabama has to say. He’s a solid commitment with Ohio State, but has not completely shut down his recruitment as he’s open to taking additional visits elsewhere.
He had the following to say this month when asked which schools have been in touch with him the most recently.
“Florida, Florida State, Miami. Alabama is starting to show a little bit of interest. Tennessee, too,” Smith said at the Feb. 11 SUP7R 7-on-7 event. “Coach T-Rob has been keeping in contact with me. He wants me to come up in March, but I don’t know. I’ve got so many programs wanting me to come up in March and plus I run track, too.”
Worth noting is that Robinson did stop by Smith’s school, Chaminade-Madonna Prep, last month. It’s likely that he’ll return during the next evaluation period, which is from April 15 through May 31.
Smith told On3 that he intends on officially visiting Florida, Florida State, and Ohio State. Nearby Miami may not receive an official because of how close he is to the school.
Along with being the nation’s second-ranked junior, Smith is also the No. 1 wideout and the top-ranked player in Florida. In his junior season, he recorded 58 receptions for 1,073 yards (18.5 yards per grab) and 20 touchdowns.
Continue reading for more flip candidates!
Early in-state defensive targets
Alabama hopes it can sign an outstanding defensive class in 2024. The Crimson Tide signed eight in-state players in its No. 1 ranked 2023 recruiting class. The group included six defensive players (James Smith, Qua Russaw, Yhonzae Pierre, Tony Mitchell, Jahlil Hurley, Hunter Osborne). It is one of the best in-state signing classes in recent memory.
Alabama has extended scholarship offers to several in-state players. Some have been recruited for a while while others are just beginning to develop a connection. The Tide coaches, including three official additions, will spend the next few months evaluating/dissecting, recruiting and deciding which players to push for signatures in December.
So who are the Tide’s in-state priority targets? Find out where things currently stand in each player’s recruitment.
Top 10
- 1
Kirby Smart calls out CFP
Georgia HC victory laps committee after win vs. Tennessee
- 2
Heupel shades refs
Tennessee HC not happy after loss vs. Georgia
- 3
Dave Aranda
Baylor HC will return for 2025
- 4
Florida trolls Brian Kelly
'Don't damage our tables, coach'
- 5New
Travis Hunter
Colorado star heavy Heisman favorite
Several new offers
- Marcelles Williams, Top 100 cornerback from St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California
- Keylen Adams, four-star wide receiver from Green Run HS in Virginia Beach, Va.
- Carter Nelson, four-star tight end from Ainsworth HS in Nebraska
- Styles Prescod, four-star offensive lineman from Southeastern HS in Hamilton, Indiana
- Steven Soles, three-star linebacker from Powell High School in Tennessee
- Zahir Mathis, 2025 No.2 overall defensive tackle from Imhotep Institute in Philadelphia
Top recruits are beginning to schedule visits for next month including Dylan Stewart, top 5 overall recruit, who will travel to Tuscaloosa in March (More on Stewart’s upcoming visit).
TEAM COVERAGE:
Ranking Alabama’s offensive coordinators since 2014
Alabama has seen a lot more offensive coordinators during the Nick Saban era than it has defensive coordinators. In 16 seasons, we’ve seen eight different guys get a shot at calling the plays in Tuscaloosa. With the most recent hire of Tommy Rees, that’ll soon be nine offensive coordinators in 17 seasons.
Still, the offensive philosophy at Alabama took a sharp turn beginning in 2014.
Saban wanted to get more current on that side of the football. As a result, he hired former Tennessee and USC head coach Lane Kiffin to come in and modernize things. In a lot of ways, I believe we should view play-callers prior to 2014 in a different light than the ones we’ve seen since. That’s why I’ve put together a list ranking Alabama’s offensive coordinators since the start of the 2014 season.
Before we get to the list, I thought readers should have access to some of the numbers I had available when making my decisions. These numbers are certainly relevant to the conversation, but I also think providing more context is important. For that reason, you won’t see me go exclusively off these numbers when determining my list.
Once you’re done reading, head over to the Talk of Champions message board to tell us how you’d rank them.
5. Bill O’Brien (2021-22)
Current role: Offensive coordinator (Patriots)
OK, let’s go ahead and get this out of the way first.
No, ranking O’Brien here doesn’t mean I completely buy into the idea that he was a terrible play-caller at Alabama. Do I think he was great? Also no, but I don’t think he was as bad as some fans claim. With that said, someone had to check in at No. 5, and it’s pretty clear O’Brien is the top candidate for most people.
There’s an argument to be made that he had less talent to work with than any of the other four offensive coordinators since 2014. That argument hinges a lot on the offensive line though. In 2021, the big guys up front were as bad as we’ve seen them since 2007. There was only one starter with first-round ability to along with a couple others being borderline NFL talents.
Those deficiencies really hindered O’Brien’s ability to call plays, but we’ve seen other program’s produce more success offensively with even less talent. In other words, that argument only goes so far.
We can’t ignore that he produced two elite talents at wide receiver in Jameson Williams and John Metchie III though. We also can’t ignore the program’s first ever Heisman-winning quarterback in Bryce Young. O’Brien is the only coordinator at Alabama who produced a 1,000-yard rusher, two 1,000-yard receivers and a 4,000-yard passer in the same season.
Still, it never felt like there was enough physicality or consistency with the run game.
O’Brien’s offense was too reliant on Young, and that was made evident after following the star quarterback’s shoulder injury. Decades from now, people who won’t know any better will look back at these numbers and rank O’Brien much higher on these list, but as you and I know, there’s a lot more to this story than the numbers.
Click HERE to see No.1-4 on the OC list!
Alabama bounces back
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Alabama men’s basketball team moved to 23-4 (13-1 SEC) on Saturday night with a 108-59 bounce back victory over Georgia. The win comes on the heels of the Crimson Tide’s road loss to Tennessee, which makes it all the more impressive.
Really, this team has shown the ability to bounce back after a rough loss.
First, it was the 57-point win over Vanderbilt following an ugly road defeat against Oklahoma. Now, it’s a 49-point win after losing to Tennessee in Knoxville. That’s not just bouncing back. It’s something else entirely, but either way, it’s sending the rest of college basketball a message.
Alabama once again saw five players score in the double digits.
Star forward Brandon Miller once again led the way with 21 points to go along with three rebounds, an assist and two blocks. Transfer guard Mark Sears bounced back with a 17-point performance after only scoring two points against Tennessee. Freshmen Rylan Griffen (13 points) and Noah Clowney (12) also had impressive nights.
The unsuspected star of the show was Nick Pringle though.
The latest addition from the JUCO ranks came into the game only averaged 7.4 minutes, 2.5 points and 2.4 rebounds. Against the Bulldogs, Pringle put up career-highs in minutes (21), points (19) and rebounds (12), giving him the first double-double of his career. He’s only scored 10 or more points in three other games this season.
Story via Clint Lamb.
More team coverage:
Alabama expected to add former NFL head coach Ken Whisenhunt to off-field staff
Alabama roster update includes early enrollees, still has OL Darrian Dalcourt listed
Former Alabama players who are set to be NFL free agents
Spring Roster Countdown: Part III (Nos. 51-53)
Spring Roster Countdown: Part IV (Nos. 49-51)
Nick Saban adds 26-year-old former Marine, Colorado State DL as walk-on
Five national stories you may have missed:
NCAA Selection Committee reveals Top 16 seeds for upcoming March Madness Tournament
Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers assistant John Mitchell retires after 29 years
ESPN’s Todd McShay makes the case for Alabama QB Bryce Young at No. 1 overall
Former Alabama wideout Traeshon Holden dismissed from Oregon following arrest
Calvin Ridley to formally appeal to NFL for reinstatement after yearlong gambling suspension
A look ahead:
Alabama basketball travels to South Carolina on Wednesday (8:00 p.m., ESPN2). The Tide will host Arkansas on Saturday (1:00 p.m.).
BamaInsider will attend the UA Next Football Camp in Atlanta on Sunday. Several of the best high school football player in the Southeast will participate in the event.
Alabama baseball will play Tennessee Tech on Tuesday (3:00 p.m.). It will also play UT-Martin at home on Wednesday (3:00 p.m.). The team will have a three game series at home next weekend against Pepperdine.
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Texas LB considers Alabama a top priority
