10 hours ago
Jumbo Package: How will Alabama replace Jam Miller?
SEC Network analyst Roman Harper offered some insight into how Alabama might navigate the challenge.
'I know with [Ryan] Grubb as the offensive coordinator, they want to throw the football,' Harper explained. 'That is what he likes to do. So whoever can protect the quarterback by maybe being a good pass blocker, as well as someone being efficient enough to catch the football, will be the guy that really kind of steps in.'
This quote from Roman Harper is one of the first times I've seen anyone in the college/Alabama sphere of media really say something about Ryan Grubb that I think actually matches what we've actually seen from the OC on the field. No matter what Grubb says about running the ball (and he said that a lot in Seattle last year, too), this is going to be a dropback heavy offense that wants to push the ball down the field. While the backs may get a few more carries than they did last year (because the QB won't be eating up as many touches), the main focus is still going to be the downfield passing game. And with that comes the desire for a running back who can block and catch.
More and more, it sounds like Daniel Hill may be that guy. He's apparently got great hands, and since he's huge, you'd think he can be a good blocker. But who really knows.
The Julian Sayin era is underway at Ohio State. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day confirmed the expected when he announced that Sayin will lead Ohio State in its Aug. 30 season opener against Texas. Sayin, a former five-star prospect and Alabama signee, beat third-year signal caller Lincoln Kienholz and true freshman Tavien St. Clair for the job.
Sayin is entering his second year with the Buckeyes after serving as backup for Will Howard last season. He appeared in four games, preserving his redshirt in the process, and completed five of his 12 pass attempts for 84 yards and one touchdown. He did see a few snaps in Ohio State's College Football Playoff win against Tennessee.
Though Sayin is short on experience, winning the starting QB job at Ohio State is like getting handed the keys to a brand new Lamborghini. He'll have plenty of help from the nation's top wide receiver room, with standouts like Heisman Trophy contender Jeremiah Smith and veteran wideout Carnell Tate.
Well, it's official, Julian Sayin is going to be Ohio State's starter. It would have been a little hilarious if he wasn't. Still, we'll all be watching closely, as his success vs Ty Simpson's this season will make for a fascinating storyline. Had Sayin not transferred, it would likely be between him and Ty for Alabama's starting job this season, and it also seems probably that Keelon Russell would have committed somewhere else.
The Crimson Tide's stars continue to pile up preseason accolades, with four Alabama players named to the AP Preseason All-American teams. Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and wide receiver Ryan Williams were named to the first team while center Parker Brailsford and defensive lineman Tim Keenan III were named to the second team.
Personally, I'd have put Parker Brailsford as a first team All-American. And, while Kadyn Proctor still has unlimited potential, I'm not sure his on-field results have shown him to be a true 1st-team All-American to this point. Still, his improvement from year 1 to year 2 was staggering: 36 pressures and 12 sacks in 2023 to 15 pressures and 3 sacks in 2024. If he keeps improving, he definitely can become that guy.
Asked about that by Sisler, Saban got a big laugh from the crowd in the Birmingham theater hosting the event.
'You know, I don't know where that came from,' Saban said. 'Greg McElroy played quarterback for us. And if he had something like that when he was a player, he would have got his ass kicked.'
I think Nick Saban is staying retired, y'all.
