Below are some of the top Tide football stories for today published by various organizations:

Senior Bowl: Rating The Players

By Mike Herndon, Press-Register
One NFL scout who watched Senior Bowl practices shared his impressions of who helped themselves, who hurt themselves and whose stock remained largely unchanged with their work in Mobile during the last week: UP – Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: Character issues remain a question mark, but he answered any on-field questions: “This week he had to go against a couple of big receivers and he had a very good week. Excellent ball skills. Great feet.” EVEN – Courtney Upshaw, DE/LB, Alabama: Upshaw showed good pass-rushing skills but did not work at linebacker, his likely position in the NFL. “To me, he’s a ‘tweener. I think he’s a 3-4 outside linebacker. He’s got the same body build as (Pittsburgh LB) James Harrison.” [More]

Fultondale’s ArDarius Stewart Verbally Commits

By Robert Carter North, Jefferson News
Fultondale assistant coach Richie Busby confirms various TV reports that Wildcat quarterback/free safety ArDarius Stewart has verbally committed to Alabama at their Junior Day today. Stewart, who finished fourth in Mr. Football voting this year as a junior, was being pursued heavily by the Tide, Auburn, Mississippi State, Clemson and Utah. Stewart had been visited at his school by Tide coach Nick Saban a little over a week ago, Bulldog coach Dan Mullen, and Clemson assistants who flew into town on Friday. Saban wants Stewart to play on defense, but possibly on kick returns as well. [More]

Raheem Falkins Commits To Play Football At Alabama

By Mike Strom, The Times-Picayune
Raheem Falkins, considered one of Louisiana’s top junior prospects, verbally committed to Alabama’s football recruiting class of 2013 on Saturday. Falkins, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, delivered his commitment to Coach Nick Saban during a trip to Tuscaloosa to attend the Crimson Tide’s Junior Day. Former Carver assistant coach Tirerell Bonner, who accompanied Falkins and his family to Tuscaloosa, confirmed Falkins’ commitment. Falkins said he projects as a full academic qualifier. A first-team Class 2A All-State selection, Falkins said he also has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Illinois and Colorado. “I like their program, they’ve got a nice program,” Falkins said in explaining his selection of Bama. “Coach Saban, he recruited me the hardest. He competed with other schools and showed the most interest. I love their campus.” [More]

Elite Funior RB Altee Tenpenny Commits To Alabama

By Tim Kelchner, FOX16.com
It should come as no surprise that North Little Rock junior Altee Tenpenny committed to Alabama at the Crimson Tide’s Junior Day. Razorback fans wanted him in Fayetteville, and Red Wolf supporters hoped he would pick Jonesboro, so you might not like his selection, but you can’t blame him. Running backs flock to Tuscaloosa the same way Wide Receivers line up to play for Bobby Petrino and Quarterbacks can’t wait to get under center for Gus Malzahn. There are 374 days until Tenpenny has to put pen to paper, changing his status from “commit” to “signee”, but right now it looks like he has found the right fit. [More]

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Below are some of the top Tide football stories for today published by various organizations:

Vlachos Works To Prove Critics Wrong

By Bill Lumpkin III, Montgomery Advertiser
Former Alabama center William Vlachos plans to prove to the critics once again that size doesn’t matter. Vlachos finds himself as the smallest offensive lineman this week at the Senior Bowl, but he believes his college resume speaks for itself. With NFL scouts and coaches analyzing the former college players this week inch-by-inch, Vlachos knows there’s nothing he can do about his 6-foot frame. “My height isn’t going to change,” he said. “That’s a fact. I thought I was past all that talk until I got down here. It used to be a motivating factor, but I’ve won 40 SEC games and two national championships now. “I’ve played against the best competition for the past four years. I thought I had finally put this size thing to rest. I think I’ve already proven that I can play on this level.” Vlachos will get a chance to showcase his talents once more this afternoon when his South squad squares off against the North in the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. [More]

Tide Hosting Top 2013 Recruits This Weekend

By Matt Scalici, al.com
With 27 players already committed to sign next Wednesday as part of the 2012 recruiting class, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide coaching staff have begun to shift their focus to the 2013 recruiting class. This weekend will mark the first major event of the 2013 cycle for the Tide as Alabama hosts its first of two Junior Day events during which dozens of the nation’s top underclassmen will visit Tuscaloosa and get their first look at the campus and facilities as well as their first introduction, in some cases, to the Tide coaching staff. Among the visitors expected in town this weekend, according to BamaOnline’s Charles Power, are three of the Tide’s four current 2013 commitments.LaGrange, Georgia, linebacker Reuben Foster is already being hailed as one of the top defenders in the nation for the Class of 2013 and will visit the UA campus after receiving a visit from Saban at his high school on Thursday. [More]

Chargers GM A.J. Smith Eyeing Upshaw

From BoltHype
Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith was in Mobile, Alabama for the annual Senior Bowl to take a look at some top players from the collegiate level. The player that GM Smith was reportedly eyeing at the Senior Bowl was Alabama Crimson Tide stand-up outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw. There are undeniable similarities between Upshaw and one time Bolts’ star Shawne Merriman as far as physique and raw power are concerned and the fact that many of Phillips’ best years came with Merriman lining up at his opposite could weigh heavily into the desire to land Upshaw. Coaches and scouts alike marvel at Upshaw’s technique and many have used words like ‘thick’ to describe his appearance. At 6’2” 273lbs., Upshaw has the prototypical build of a 3-4 rush end and his chiseled look is more than merely aesthetic. NFL coaches have marveled at his raw power during the practices in Mobile and even though many scouts doubt his status as an elite athlete, his ability to be effective on the field is indisputable. [More]

Alabama Closing In On Another National Championship

By Izzy Gould, al.com
Alabama has 25 commitments for 2012 and added two junior college players in January. Saban said Monday during his annual visit to the Senior Bowl he’s thirsty for more and continues to recruit for 2012. Prospects can begin sending signed letters-of-intent Wednesday. “The University of Alabama is expected to sign at least one more player and likely from a defensive tackle,” Scout.com analyst Andrew Bone wrote in an e-mail Thursday. “The Tide remains in the hunt for Eddie Goldman (five-star defensive tackle out of Washington, D.C.) Kirven, and Dalvin Tomlinson (a four-star from Henry County, Ga.). The odds favor Tomlinson as a part of the Tide’s recruiting class. Kwon Alexander, four-star linebacker and the state’s top uncommitted prospect from Oxford High School, is likely to sign with Auburn or LSU. Alexander is recovering from a torn ACL.” So Saban’s numbers game is bound to be another hot topic nationally with Alabama projected by many recruiting analysts to be in line for another No. 1 recruiting class nationally. [More]

Saban Speaks To State Prep Coaches

By Tim Gayle, Montgomery Advertiser
High school coaches from throughout the state descended on the Capital City on Thursday to attend the seventh annual Alabama Football Coaches Association meeting at Embassy Suites. They came to socialize with their peers and pick up a few pointers from featured speakers, Alabama coach Nick Saban and Auburn coach Gene Chizik. It’s a wealth of knowledge most coaches can’t tap, listening to coaches who have led their teams to the last three BCS national championships. Alabama, meanwhile, is well on its way to another stellar recruiting class. Currently ranked No. 1 by Rivals, Saban has commitments from 27 players and is wrapping up what could be his fourth top-ranked recruiting class in the last five years. “We feel like we’re having a good recruiting year,” he said. “There are a lot of good football players out there and we’re pleased and happy with some of the guys that are interested in our program at the University of Alabama.” [More]

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Below are some of the top Tide football stories for today published by various organizations:

Richardson Rated As The No. 1 Running Back

By Bill Vilona, pnj.com
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan leaned his head back and laughed. Trent Richardson? “Oh yeah, I’ve seen him (play). I know all about him,” he said, convincingly. “That guy is a great football player.” If there was one consensus at practices for Saturday’s Senior Bowl, it was the assessment of Richardson’s talents for the 2012 NFL Draft. While many of the NFL personnel assembled this week were reluctant to discuss Richardson, because he’s a junior leaving school early, there is no doubt about the potential impact for the Alabama tailback. “I haven’t done all the work I need to do on him yet, because there are 60-some juniors who came out,” said Mike Mayock, the lead draft analyst for the NFL Network. “But from what I have seen, he is a first-round running back with the size, speed, toughness, durability and all the other things you look for in a first-round pick.” Mayock, and other notable NFL draft analysts like ESPN’s Mel Kiper, have Richardson rated as the No. 1 running back on the board. He is viewed as the only tailback with a clear-cut, first-round status. [More]

Top-ranked kicker Adam Griffith has made pressure field goals

By MICHAEL CASAGRANDE, Ledger-Enquirer
From his seat in Bryant-Denny Stadium on an early November night, Adam Griffith saw the perils of college football kicking. He was on a visit the day Crimson Tide specialists missed four of six kicks in the 9-6 overtime loss to LSU. “I think for the first time there, he felt the pressure of being a college kicker,” said Hal Lamb, Griffith’s high school coach. As the nation’s No. 1 high school kicker, according to two recruiting services, the Calhoun (Ga.) High School senior faced his share of tense moments. That and his character, Lamb said, should help his transition to college. Griffith is committed to sign as part of Alabama’s top-ranked recruiting class Wednesday. Less than two months earlier, the weight of a state championship landed on the shoulders of the Polish-born kicker. Foreshadowing Jeremy Shelley’s five-kick BCS national title game performance, Griffith nailed four in the Class AA championship game Dec. 9. His 32-yarder in overtime beat Buford, led by fellow Alabama commitment Dillon Lee, 27-24 after making a 46-yard kick earlier in the game. [More]

Upshaw Doesn’t Shy Away From Contact

By Mike Wilkening, Pro Football Weekly
Will Courtney Upshaw be a defensive end or an outside linebacker in the NFL? The Alabama star and surefire first-round pick has insisted throughout Senior Bowl week that he has no preference. But this much seems assured: The preference of opposing offensive tackles would be that he take up another line of work. One of the standouts of a dominating Crimson Tide defense, Upshaw has had a fine week of practice at the Senior Bowl. He has worked with the defensive ends throughout the week, though he plans to do OLB drills at the Combine and at Alabama’s pro day. However, Upshaw did get some work standing up in a 3-4 look this week, noted Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, a member of the South coaching staff this week. Haslett is among those who have been impressed by the first-team All-American, who garnered BCS championship game MVP honors with seven tackles and a sack in Alabama’s shutout of LSU. [More]

Goldman Could Make a Major Instant Impact

By Danny Flynn, Bleacher Report
There’s one more defensive line recruit out there that Saban would love to get his hands on, and that’s DT Eddie Goldman. Goldman, who played for Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington D.C., is one of the top prospects still left on the market. The highly-touted 5-star defensive tackle is considered one of the top overall recruits in the country by every major recruiting service, and he’s going to make whichever school he ends up signing with very happy. The 6’4’’, 310’’ monstrous middle-man possesses a rare combination of sheer size, raw power and devastating quickness that you only see in truly elite defensive tackle recruits. Goldman reminds me a lot of former Alabama great Marcell Dareus, and I think he would be able to play a similar versatile role as the type of lineman who can either move inside or outside along Alabama’s three-man line given the situation. According to an interview with his high school coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim in the Washington Post, Goldman has reportedly narrowed his choices down to three schools: Alabama, Auburn and Florida State. [More]

Alabama tops Sporting News’ 10 best classes

From The Sporting News via The Oregonian
It’s not uncommon for the national champion to do well a month later when national signing day comes around. With 27 quality recruits on board, Alabama is solidly atop the country in the No. 1 recruiting spot. With less than a week until most recruits will sign their letters of intent, Brian McLaughlin takes a look at Sporting News’ top 10 classes: 1. Alabama (27 commitments): The Crimson Tide have one of those well-rounded classes. They are most likely done, but the Tide coaches are still pursuing at least a couple top targets. Six of Alabama’s 27 recruits are Sporting News Top 125 members, and it’s a strong class top to bottom. Alabama should be especially proud of its defensive backs haul—all five are good enough to be early contributors. Top SN 125 players: DB Geno Smith, DB Landon Collins [More]

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Nick Saban Meets With Justin Taylor

By Michael Carvell, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nick Saban and Justin Taylor sat across from each other for about an hour at North Atlanta High School on Tuesday. It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two since it was reported that Taylor can’t sign with Alabama this year. The Crimson Tide wants Taylor to “grayshirt” because of a knee injury and wait to enroll in 2013, while others speculate that it was creative “roster management” by Saban. We talked to North Atlanta football coach Stanley Pritchett, the ex-NFL RB who is also Taylor’s legal guardian. “We had a good conversation with Coach Saban. He told us exactly what the plan was with Justin. It was basically the same things he told us a couple of weeks ago on the official visit to Alabama. Coach Saban really wants him. He said he wouldn’t be coming to the school and sitting in the room if he didn’t want him. Coach Saban said Justin is part of the Alabama family. They just think it’s best for his football career to grayshirt and get his knee back right.” [More]

Why the 2011 National Title Was the Sweetest

By Andrew Smith, Bleacher Report
It has been a few weeks since Alabama won its 14th national title, but the sweetness of the triumph has not worn away. In fact, now that it has been long enough for the recency bias to subside, it is safe to pronounce Alabama’s 2011 national title the most satisfying of this generation. Make no mistake. Alabama’s 1992 and 2009 national title teams were splendid. Their accomplishments brought unbridled joy in the lives of Alabama fans far and wide. There was just a little something extra satisfying about the ride in 2011. Quite simply, Alabama’s 2011 national title set an upside-down world back on its feet. It would be overly simplistic to suggest that Alabama’s football title fixed the damage of the April tornadoes that ripped through down—that kind of suffering is beyond what football success can remedy. But it certainly helped. [More]

Senior Bowl A Plus For Recruiting

By Izzy Gould, al.com
National Signing Day is a week away, and the Senior Bowl serves as a reminder of one of Nick Saban’s selling points for recruits: Alabama’s use of a pro-style offense and defense helps prepare his players for professional football careers. New York Jets coach Rex Ryan was deep in conversation with Saban when the Crimson Tide’s coach visited the South team practice Monday in Fairhope. Ryan said Sunday that his son Seth, a high school junior, will join Alabama’s football team next year. ESPN NFL analyst Cris Carter supported his son, Duron, and his transfer to Alabama from a junior college last summer. And other former professional stars such as Barry Sanders and Joe Montana looked into the Crimson Tide as a possible destination for their kids. In five seasons at Alabama, Saban is 50-12 (.806) with an SEC title and two national championships in the last three seasons. That success has made the Crimson Tide a fertile field of NFL prospects. [More]

Senior Bowl Update

By JOHN ZENOR, Montgomery Advertiser
Courtney Upshaw sidled up to his Alabama coach with a big grin and asked, “Do I look slim?” “Yeah, you do,” Nick Saban responded. Sure, the 6-foot-2, 273-pound linebacker has more to worry about than appearances during the week leading up to Saturday’s Senior Bowl, but the thickly-muscled Upshaw has far less to prove than his participating teammates from the national champion Crimson Tide. Upshaw, safety Mark Barron and Tide underclassmen Trent Richardson and Dre Kirkpatrick are all projected first-round picks, and two or three might even make it into the top 10. Wide receiver/punt returner Marquis Maze and center William Vlachos have to overcome height deficits while cornerback DeQuan Menzie and tight end Brad Smelley had lower profiles going into the game. Upshaw is working at defensive end after playing a hybrid linebacker/end role in the Tide’s 3-4 defense. He already has an impressive resume: Butkus and Lombardi Award semifinalist, defensive MVP of the national championship game against LSU, second-team AP All-American. [More]

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Below are some of the top Tide football stories for today published by various organizations:

Saban A Hit At The Senior Bowl

From jacksonville.com
As Jaguars receivers coach Jerry Sullivan met with the Jacksonville media for the first time, a commotion rose a few yards away from him and got closer and closer. This commotion followed Alabama head coach Nick Saban as cameras pursued him and children called out his name from the stands. As NFL hopefuls practiced behind Sullivan, and NFL scouts and coaches watched from the sidelines, Saban stopped to shake his hand and say hello, then the ruckus moved with him. Such is the scene at the Senior Bowl, where each year the NFL world descends upon Mobile, Ala., with coaches, general managers, scouts and assistants looking for players who can help their teams improve. [More]

Saban Checks On Tide Players At Senior Bowl Practice

By Izzy Gould, al.com
Seven Alabama players were invited to the Senior Bowl but only five are participating. Safety Mark Barron and nose guard Josh Chapman are out with injuries. Wide receiver Marquis Maze is on the practice field but is limited as he continues to heal from a hamstring pull he suffered in the Crimson Tide’s 21-0 win over LSU in the BCS championship game. Those playing include linebacker Courtney Upshaw, center William Vlachos, cornerback DeQuan Menzie and tight end Brad Smelley. During his annual visit to Senior Bowl practice, Saban spoke with reporters for about five minutes and was asked various questions, ranging from specifics on former Alabama players in the Senior Bowl to more global questions, such as his thoughts on the death of former Penn State coach Joe Paterno. Saban said, “What he did for college football, his dedication to college football, I can’t say enough, and I don’t think anybody can … the success that he had … the impact he had and how he affected other people.” [More]

Honoring Tide Seniors: Nick Gentry

By Jimmy McMurrey, Bleacher Report
Alabama is known to have extremely large defensive linemen; guys that are so big they can take on double-teams with ease. Nick Saban broke that tradition when he placed Nick Gentry in the lineup. Gentry stands at 6’1″, 284 lbs. He’s short and has a sizable paunch. He looks a lot like center William Vlachos, and he’s just as ferocious. I’ll admit, I was bewildered when I first saw Gentry take the field this year as the primary backup nose guard. I use the term “backup” loosely, as Gentry played about as much as starter Josh Chapman did. Chapman only played on suspected running plays and Gentry came in for passing situations. I dislike the term “co-starter,” but it is the best word for Gentry’s situation. I thought to myself, “Why does Nick Saban have this little guy playing this much at nose tackle?” It is the SEC, after all. How can such a small guy play the position that gets the most double-teams? Maybe I should have listened to Vlachos when he called Gentry, “…an incredible pass-rusher.” [More]

Taylor Still Committed To Alabama

By David Rutz, Neighborewspapers.com
Justin Taylor said Monday that he was still committed to national champion Alabama but was listening to other schools after head coach Nick Saban told him earlier this month that he would have to delay his signing with the Crimson Tide by a year. Taylor, a senior running back at North Atlanta High School and a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com, tore his right ACL in September and missed nearly all of his senior season with the Warriors. “It’s been kind of crazy,” he said of the past few weeks. Taylor said he was contacted by Wake Forest Monday, and he has also heard from Ole Miss, Tennessee and Purdue, but one of the schools would have to make quite an impression for him to forgo Alabama’s offer. [More]

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Below are some of the top Tide football stories for today published by various organizations:

Saban Loved This Team

By Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News
He actually put the process aside for a moment. He did something he asks his players, coaches and fans not to do. He looked at the results of his work. He looked at the results and saw that they were good, very good, and he didn’t mind saying it. Good for him. “I absolutely love this team,” Saban said. What’s not to love about a team that was challenged only once in its first 12 games, failed to meet that challenge and then erased that mistake with a vengeance in game No. 13? “This is a special team,” he said. Of all the things he’s accomplished as a college head coach, Saban has another mountain he’s yet to climb. He hasn’t gone back-to-back. No one’s done that unanimously since Nebraska’s Tom Osborne in 1994 and 1995. He made it 3 out of 4 with a split national title in 1997. Saban has a chance to do both in 2012, to go back-to-back and get 3 out of 4. Can he do it? [More]

Tide Fans Celebrate National Title

By JOHN ZENOR, sunherald.com
Nick Saban told Alabama fans he had never coached a more determined or dedicated team than the one that just polished off its second national championship in three years. And the clincher was praiseworthy, too. “I’ve never seen a more dominant performance than what they did in the national championship game against LSU,” Saban said to a roar from the estimated 32,000 fans filling one side of Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. The Crimson Tide celebrated the title in the same fashion it did Saban’s first with the Tide two years ago, nearly two weeks after that 21-0 victory over LSU. The coaches and players crowded onto a stage set up at midfield while highlights played on the videoboards and left tackle Barrett Jones and departing stars like Trent Richardson, Dont’a Hightower and Mark Barron spoke after winning what the school counts as the program’s 14th national title. [More]

Hard To Win National Titles Every Year

by Joe Medley, The Anniston star
As evidenced by the rhetoric and the fact that more fans turn out for spring games than championship celebrations around here, the mentality is all about teeing up the next title run. Such is life for a school with 14. There are reasons why winning national titles every year is much easier to expect than to do. Other teams get better, as Alabama’s 2009 team showed by ending Tim Tebow-led Florida’s bid for a third national title in four years in the SEC Championship. Top players move on, and the 2012 Alabama team will have something in common with the 2010 bunch. The Tide must replace a bunch of stars from a dominant defense. And then there’s human nature, to which Saban alluded after Alabama throttled LSU in the Bowl Championship Series title game nearly two weeks ago. It’s all too human to feel satisfied. Feeling that way no doubt played a role in Alabama’s 2010 team falling short and earning the mantra that motivated the 2011 team — “Never again.” Is the next Alabama team ready to turn “never again” into again and again? [More]

How do you put a price tag on Saban’s value?

By Jon Solomon, The Birmingham News
Remember the criticism in 2007 when Alabama made Saban the first $4-million-a-year coach in college sports? At the time, Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops had the nation’s highest guaranteed annual football salary at $2.5 million. Saban’s salary was only $500,000 less than what he reportedly made with the Miami Dolphins. It was a staggering amount even to the bloated college sports industry, which creates an artificial market for coaches because players don’t get paid. But look at the return on investment. What price tag would be appropriate for Saban after two national titles in three years and four straight seasons ranked No. 1? How valuable is a coach who even caused Brent Musburger to flirt with blasphemy by wondering aloud if Alabama fans would now forget Bear Bryant? Of course, it’s hard to place an exact figure on the value of Saban, who was guaranteed $4.68 million this season and will receive at least another $400,000 in bonuses. Some sense of his value can be gleaned from Alabama’s 2010-11 NCAA financial report that the school filed this month. [More]

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Below are some of the top Tide football stories for today published by various organizations:

Alabama Schedules Visit With 5-Star DL Arik Armstead

By Charles Goldberg, al.com
The recruiting battle for a California lineman apparently knows no bounds, at least when it comes to the Auburn-Alabama rivalry. The Sacramento Bee is reporting Alabama coach Nick Saban has called for a home visit with five-star defensive lineman Arik Armstead of Elk Grove, Calif. Armstead visited Auburn last weekend with his brother, Armond, who is also looking for a place to play. Arik Armstead was set to enroll in a school this week, and Auburn was a contender, but now says he’s waiting to announce his college destination on signing day on Feb. 1. “It’s crazy but it’s cool,” said Armstead’s father Guss Armstead, told the newspaper. [More]

Tide To Celebrate National Championship Today

From The Ledger-Enquirer.com
For the second time in three years, Alabama will celebrate a football national championship Saturday afternoon. And once again, cloudy skies and rain are in the forecast for the 3 p.m., program held in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The weather forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms today in Tuscaloosa, but the celebration will go on regardless of weather. Cloudy weather and cool temperatures kept crowds at home when the Crimson Tide celebrated its 2009 title in a similar fashion. Gates open at 1 p.m. Saturday and admission is free. The first 30,000 fans will receive a free poster and the first 1,000 fans in line have the option of viewing the hour-long program from the field. Seating will be limited to the west side of the stadium through gates 10-13 and 16-19. The program includes speeches by coach Nick Saban and a few players and performances from the Alabama cheerleaders and marching band. [More]

4 Sets of Brothers On 2012 Team

By Jimmy McMurrey, Bleacher Report
The bonds teammates create are like family, but what happens when a teammate actually is a family member? Eight players next year will be able to say, “I play football with my brother at the University of Alabama.” Alabama will have four sets of brothers on the team next year: Arie and Cyrus Kouandjio, Offensive Linemen; Tyler and Wilson Love, Offensive and Defensive Linemen; Barrett and Harrison Jones, Offensive Lineman and Tight End; and A.J. and Corey McCarron, Quarterback and Tight End/H-Back. [More]

Trent Richardson 2012 Draft Scouting Report

By Dan Kadar, mockingthedraft.com
Acceleration/burst: As much as Richardson has made his name on being a power back, he’s as good of an outside runner. He gets to the edge before most back-seven defenders. Accelerates quickly, as shown as a junior against Ole Miss. Richardson brought himself to nearly a complete stop to fake out a tackler and immediately burst back up field and into the end zone. Elusiveness: If a zone-blocking team wanted a one-cut runner, Richardson could fit the ball. That’s not to say he’s limited to that scheme, however. It’s a testament to his vision and footwork. He’s agile enough to juke even the quickest of defenders. Was used as a sophomore on kick returns, where he took one 91 yards for a touchdown. [More]

Alabama’s Championship Season By The Numbers

By Mark Inabinett, al.com
1 SEC team that won all of its games played away from its home field during the 2011 season — Alabama, which posted a 6-0 record away from Bryant-Denny Stadium. 1 Team in the nation that gave up fewer than 1,000 rushing yards in 2011. Alabama yielded 938 rushing yards this season to lead the nation in rushing defense for the third time. The Crimson Tide also led the nation in rushing defense in 1945 and 1992. 1 Team in the nation that gave up fewer than 4 yards per play in the 2011 season — Alabama at 3.3 yards per play. 1 Team that has shut out LSU in the Tigers’ past 236 games — Alabama, which blanked LSU for the third time in that span with a 21-0 victory in the BCS championship game on Jan. 9. 1 Coach who has won three BCS championship games — Nick Saban, who got his third in Alabama’s 21-0 victory over LSU to cap the 2011 season. [More]

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Below are some of the top Tide football stories for today published by various organizations:

Stallings Compares 2011 National Champions To 1992

By Izzy Gould, al.com
Gene Stallings was in New Orleans for the BCS National Championship Game to watch Alabama’s 21-0 win over LSU on Jan. 9. Stallings said Thursday he watched the 1992 national championship game again just two days before the Crimson Tide’s most recent championship. Stallings was asked to compare his national championship team defense with this year’s title team. His answer focused on the specific national championship games rather than comparing each season as a whole. Stallings said he spoke with some of the members of the ’92 team while he was in New Orleans. “This is sort of what I told them,” Stallings said. “I said, ‘You guys were good.’ I didn’t really realize how good a football team we did have. It was just the next game on our schedule. But looking back at it, they played extremely well. I just can’t imagine anybody playing any better than the Alabama team this year did. Defensively, offensively, the kicking game – they just totally controlled every avenue of that game. It was fun to watch it.” [More]

Saban Not Attending Bear Bryant Coach Of The Year Ceremony

By Tully Corcoran, Fox Sports Houston
The Bear Bryant coach of the year awards festivities began Thursday without one big name. Nick Saban. The Alabama coach, who won the national championship over LSU 10 days earlier, was not a finalist for the award named for Alabama coaching legend Bear Bryant, because, well, he couldn’t make it. Shelly Millwee, spokesperson for the event, said in order to be considered a finalist for the award, you have to commit to attending the ceremony, which was scheduled for Thursday evening in Houston. Saban was invited, but declined, and therefore isn’t eligible to win it. Millwee said it isn’t uncommon for coaches to back out, often citing recruiting concerns. Saban, however, was the only one this year who was invited but declined. Saban has won the Bear Bryant once, in 2003, after winning a national championship with LSU. He didn’t attend the event last year, either. [More]

Kirkpatrick could be on Broncos’ radar in draft

By Jeff Legwold, The Denver Post
Alabama’s Trent Richardson is one of the most prominent names on the list, leading the way at running back. Richardson has the size, power and durability that NFL evaluators covet. He finishes runs with force, doesn’t waste steps and makes big plays late in games. Richardson played for Nick Saban, and right now there is no more preferred program in college football for those making football decisions in the NFL, the Broncos included. Saban runs his practices as NFL teams would, and those players are considered more ready to contribute immediately because of the talent level as well as the approach. In the Broncos’ work over the last few months to prepare for the draft, general manager Brian Xanders spent plenty of time at Alabama. So he got a good look not only at Richardson, but also cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who also is on the list of underclassmen. The Broncos are on the hunt for defensive backs, and Kirkpatrick will be one of the top cornerbacks on the board. [More]

Saban’s Statue Updated For 14th Championship

By Izzy Gould, al.com
Alabama updated Nick Saban’s statue Thursday to reflect the Crimson Tide’s 14th national championship in football. A fresh etched “2011″ appeared next to the “2009,” both years signifying the two national championship teams Saban has coached at Alabama. The latest came via a 21-0 victory over LSU on Jan. 9 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. [More]

Chance For Heisman Lured Yeldon To Alabama

By Josh Bean, Press-Register
T.J. Yeldon doesn’t talk much. Like those old E.F. Hutton ads, when he talks, people listen. The Daphne running back talked Wednesday after being named Mr. Football — perhaps the last time he’ll speak for the next year or so, considering Nick Saban’s media blackout for Alabama freshmen — and shed light on why he switched his commitment from Auburn to the Crimson Tide. As reporters surrounded Yeldon after his Mr. Football win, the conversation quickly turned to a simple question: What caused the change of heart? “The past two or three years, they’ve had running backs qualify for the Heisman Trophy,” he said. “I mean, Auburn hasn’t.” For such a quiet guy, his reasoning sends a strong message: Nothing that happened more than five years ago matters to today’s blue-chippers. Bo Jackson might have well played in a leather helmet. Mark Ingram’s Heisman Trophy win in 2009 and Trent Richardson’s run as a Heisman finalist in 2011 apparently swayed Yeldon more than anything else. [More]

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Below are some of the top Tide football stories for today published by various organizations:

Tide Adds Nussmeier And Thompson

From seattlepi.com
Alabama has hired Doug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator and brought Lance Thompson back to coach outside linebackers. Nussmeier directed the Washington Huskies offense the past three seasons. He replaces Jim McElwain, who left to become head coach at Colorado State after helping the Crimson Tide win its second national championship in three years. Thompson also coached outside linebackers for Alabama in 2007 and 2008 before spending three seasons at Tennessee. He replaces Sal Sunseri, now Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. Nussmeier worked with quarterback Jake Locker, the No. 8 overall draft pick by the Tennessee Titans last year. Washington’s offense scored 57 touchdowns and 431 points last season, the second-highest totals in school history behind only the 1991 national championship team. Sophomore Keith Price broke school records for passing touchdowns (33), completion percentage (66.9) and passing efficiency rating (161.9). Alabama coach Nick Saban said Nussmeier will be “a great fit.” [More]

Where Will Cyrus Jones Line Up?

By Danny Flynn, Bleacher Report
Saban currently has a whopping 27 commitments for the 2012 class, including pledges from some of the top-rated recruits in the country, such as S Landon Collins, RB T.J. Yeldon, LB Reggie Ragland and S Eddie Williams. One of the most intriguing members of Alabama’s 2012 class, though, is Cyrus Jones, a 4-star prospect who played for the Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland. Jones is one of the most athletic and naturally gifted players in the entire country, and he’s got the type of speed and physical skills to develop into an impact player early on in his career in Tuscaloosa. The only question that has to be answered is, where exactly is he going to line up? Jones is a versatile athlete who has a diverse skill-set that could fit in at a number of different positions, including running back, wide receiver and even cornerback. That means the Alabama coaching staff is going to have an important decision to make when Jones gets to campus. [More]

Tide pursuing elite DLs

By Matt Scalici, al.com
As National Signing Day approaches, Nick Saban is looking to put the finishing touches on yet another elite recruiting class for the Alabama Crimson Tide. With 26 players currently expected to sign with the Tide on February 1st, Alabama’s 2012 class is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation according to 247Sports.com and Alabama is expected to accept at least one more commitment before Signing Day, according to BamaOnline recruiting analyst Tim Watts. Among the possibilities remaining for the Tide are a trio of elite defensive linemen, one of whom will taking an official visit to Tuscaloosa this weekend. Lynchburg, Virginia star Korren Kirven is considering the Tide along with Tennessee and Virginia Tech and the 6’4″, 280-pound defensive tackle will join a group of current Tide commits in Tuscaloosa this weekend for an official visit that will include a trip to Alabama’s national championship celebration in Bryant-Denny Stadium, according to BamaOnline. [More]

Roll Tide!

Want more Bama Football News? Check out the BamaFootball4Life Newswire and the Recruiting Newswire. They are constantly updated 24/7/365.

Below are some of the top Tide football stories for today published by various organizations:

Saban Recruits Top Juniors In Atlanta

By Michael Carvell, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nick Saban, coach of the reigning BCS champions, was spotted everywhere around Atlanta on Tuesday. Saban and a companion, Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, did a whirlwind tour around the metro area to eyeball some of the state’s top prospects. They were gazed upon like rock stars as they made appearances at Milton, Alpharetta and Grayson high schools – and even a local gym. Recruiting talent from the state of Georgia is a top priority for Saban. The coach of the nation’s No. 1-team has accumulated the nation’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class, which includes seven commitments from Georgia. Where did Saban go? He was at Grayson to see DE Robert Nkemdiche, who is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect for 2013 by 247Sports. Grayson coach Mickey Conn, who played on Alabama’s 1992 national championship team, knew in advance of Saban’s appointment but didn’t tell many people. “We kept it on the down low; it was just us coaches,” Conn said. “It was big for me because I played at Alabama. I’m a huge Alabama fan.” [More]

Tide Named 2012 Schedule Loser

By Edward Aschoff, ESPN
Alabama was the ultimate winner in college football during the 2011 season. But the Crimson Tide might not be set up for a repeat performance in 2012. And it might not be because of a lack of talent (something Alabama hasn’t really experienced since Nick Saban arrived). According to ESPN colleague Ryan McGee, Alabama might not hoist the crystal ball in Miami next year because of its schedule. McGee named his top 10 early schedule losers in 2012, and Alabama came in at No. 1. It was the only SEC team to make his list. Alabama might have soft nonconference schedule (outside of that sweet game against Michigan to open the year) and just four true road games, but McGee is worried about the Tide’s opening to the season. Tide’s first three games include a trip to Arlington, Texas, to play the Michigan Wolverines and a visit to Fayetteville to play the Arkansas Razorbacks, who will have Tyler Wilson back under center. I don’t care who you are, that’s tough. [More]

2012 Top 25

By Matt Hayes, Sporting News
3. Alabama Crimson Tide. Why they’re here: It’s impossible to discount Tide coach Nick Saban and his staff’s ability to develop players. Two years ago, the Tide had nine new starters on defense, and finished third in the nation. Are we really going to doubt the loss of seven starters on both offense and defense? Why it could change: At the end of the 2010 season, after Alabama destroyed Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl, Spartans QB Kirk Cousins stopped Saban on the field and said, “How did you guys lose three games?” The talent will be there for Alabama; will—like 2010—the motivation? [More]

Kirkpatrick Arrested On Marijuana Possession

By Michael Casagrande, TimesDaily.com
A week earlier, Dre Kirkpatrick hoisted a crystal football in New Orleans. His early-morning hours of this Tuesday, however, involved handcuffs in Bradenton. The now-former Crimson Tide cornerback was arrested just after midnight on marijuana possessions charges in Bradenton, Fla. Kirkpatrick was booked at 12:48 a.m., and released on $120 cash bond. Another former Alabama defensive back was arrested and booked at the same time on the same charges. Chris Rogers, a senior on the 2009 national championship team when Kirkpatrick was a freshman, was also processed by the Manatee County Sherriff’s Office. According to a police report obtained by the Associated Press, Kirkpatrick was the passenger in a vehicle driven by Rogers who was stopped for driving on the wrong side of the road. A drug dog detected narcotics and police found the marijuana on the floorboard near Kirkpatrick’s feet. The report stated Rogers told police he bought the marijuana at a nearby house. Kirkpatrick told police he was present at the time of the purchase. [More]

The Best Alabama Defenses

From The Huntsville Times, al.com
Where does this Alabama defense, only the second in 14 years of the BCS to hold the opponent without a touchdown in the title game, stack up historically? Even as some might suggest it’s one of the best in college football history, it first must stack up against two other great Alabama defenses, from 1961 and 1992. Billy Neighbors, All-American on 1961 Alabama team. “This may be the best defense to ever play college football. They’ve probably got the best secondary that’s ever been there. Or ever been anywhere. They’ve got three great linebackers and they’ve got four down guys that can play, too. It’s unbelievable, really. I was shocked how good they are.” Lee Roy Jordan, All-American linebacker on 1961 Alabama team. “It certainly compares to our defense,” said Jordan, who watched the Tide’s demolition of LSU’s offense in person at the Superdome. “I think it’s probably the best defensive game I’ve seen, college or pro. They are so good at technique and tackling,” he said. “You just don’t see much good tackling anymore.” [More]

Roll Tide!

Want more Bama Football News? Check out the BamaFootball4Life Newswire and the Recruiting Newswire. They are constantly updated 24/7/365.