Latest news with #CollegeFootballPlayoffNationalChampionshipGame
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Which Alabama football players are 2026 College Football Hall of Fame nominees?
The 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class could have a few more Alabama football connections. The National Football Foundation announced 79 players and nine coaches who are in the running for the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame. The announcement for the class will be made in early 2026. Advertisement Here's a look at the players nominated who have Alabama football connections: Mark Ingram: Alabama football running back Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide former running back Mark Ingram on the field prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Mark Ingram was a unanimous first-team All-American and Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner. The 2009 SEC Offensive Player of the Year had 3,261 rushing yards and 42 rushing touchdowns in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. Ingram was the No. 28 overall pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 NFL draft. DeMeco Ryans: Alabama football linebacker Oct. 22, 2005; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker DeMeco Ryans (35) celebrates the game ending interception in the final seconds against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Tennessee 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports © 2005 John David Mercer DeMeco Ryans was a unanimous first-team All-American and won the Lott IMPACT Trophy. The 2005 SEC Defensive Player of the Year had 76 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and 5 sacks for the Crimson Tide before being the No. 33 overall pick of the Houston Texans in the 2006 NFL draft. Dennis Franchione: Alabama football coach 27 Dec 2001 : Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione presents the trophy during post-game celebration of the Independence Bowl game against Iowa State at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. Alabama won 14-13. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit:A two-time NAIA Coach of the Year, Dennis Franchione finished with a 17-8 record as the head coach at Alabama in 2001-02. He led the Crimson Tide to an Independence Bowl win in 2001. Franchione also had head coaching stops at TCU, Texas A&M and Texas State. Advertisement Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@ or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football players nominated for 2026 College Football Hall of Fame
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DeVonta Smith left off a ranking of top talent from the 2021 NFL Draft
It seems like it was just yesterday, the 2021 NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles were trying to put a 4-11-1 finish to the previous season behind them, and they owned a selection in the top half of Round 1. It was the dawn of the Nick Sirianni era. Everyone hoped DeVonta Smith would be the choice in Round 1, but there was some controversy. Some fans and media members hoped the Eagles might go with Micah Parsons or Justin Fields. Advertisement Parsons obviously would have given the Birds some defensive punch. Fields would have provided another option at the quarterback position if Philadelphia had determined they weren't sold on Jalen Hurts yet. Things worked out as they should have. DeVonta with the Eagles, and it's hard to imagine him in another jersey. It's also hard to figure out why he continues to be slighted when we discuss some of the game's great players. Eagles fans are tired of seeing DeVonta Smith disrespected. No one will ever forget where they were when DeVonta Smith hauled in that bomb from Tua Tagovailoa in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game or that beautiful toss from Jalen Hurts in Super Bowl 59. He's a former Heisman Trophy winner who also grabbed the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award, Fred Biletnikoff Award, and Paul Hornung Award during his final run with the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2020 college football season. Advertisement As a rookie, he set an Eagles franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season. He's now a Super Bowl champion and one of the best players at his position, but he has yet to land on a Pro Bowl roster. He is also consistently left off lists like the following: DeVonta and A.J. Brown were both named on Pro Football Focus's list of the top 32 wide receivers in the NFL, but they couldn't have been further apart. A.J. found his way near the top of the list, and even though DeVonta should have been around the same area, he was fixated on the list's bottom half. That was noticeable (and controversial), but this FOX ranking felt like the last straw. Fans aren't having it. They've taken to social media to complain. Sure, this is (and fellow Eagle Landon Dickerson is also deserving of a mention), but it does beg the question. Where is DeVonta? Advertisement The answer to that question derives from something else that is rarely mentioned. Smith isn't often given the credit he deserves because Philly is home to elite wide receivers. Fans don't want to vote two Eagles receivers to the Pro Bowl every season. They don't want to name two Eagles as All-Pros. If Smith is placed on most of the NFL's other rosters, he's the top guy on the depth chart, but playing on a roster with so many great players sometimes means he'll be overlooked. That's just how it goes sometimes. Let's get back to FOX's list. Sure, most who are mentioned are deserving, and that begs the question. Who would be removed if DeVonta is added? That's a debate that would require another 1,000 words or so, but here's where we can begin the discussion. Let's start by giving Smith Trevor Lawrence's spot. What has he ever done to be ranked so high? This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: DeVonta Smith gets slighted in a ranking of talent from the 2021 draft
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
DeVonta Smith left off a ranking of top talent from the 2021 NFL Draft
DeVonta Smith left off a ranking of top talent from the 2021 NFL Draft Fox Sports ranked the top 10 players from the 2021 NFL draft and Eagles WR DeVonta Smith was left off the list as an obvious snub It seems like it was just yesterday, the 2021 NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles were trying to put a 4-11-1 finish to the previous season behind them, and they owned a selection in the top half of Round 1. It was the dawn of the Nick Sirianni era. Everyone hoped DeVonta Smith would be the choice in Round 1, but there was some controversy. Some fans and media members hoped the Eagles might go with Micah Parsons or Justin Fields. Parsons obviously would have given the Birds some defensive punch. Fields would have provided another option at the quarterback position if Philadelphia had determined they weren't sold on Jalen Hurts yet. Things worked out as they should have. DeVonta with the Eagles, and it's hard to imagine him in another jersey. It's also hard to figure out why he continues to be slighted when we discuss some of the game's great players. Eagles fans are tired of seeing DeVonta Smith disrespected. No one will ever forget where they were when DeVonta Smith hauled in that bomb from Tua Tagovailoa in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game or that beautiful toss from Jalen Hurts in Super Bowl 59. He's a former Heisman Trophy winner who also grabbed the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award, Fred Biletnikoff Award, and Paul Hornung Award during his final run with the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2020 college football season. As a rookie, he set an Eagles franchise record for most receiving yards in a single season. He's now a Super Bowl champion and one of the best players at his position, but he has yet to land on a Pro Bowl roster. He is also consistently left off lists like the following: DeVonta and A.J. Brown were both named on Pro Football Focus's list of the top 32 wide receivers in the NFL, but they couldn't have been further apart. A.J. found his way near the top of the list, and even though DeVonta should have been around the same area, he was fixated on the list's bottom half. That was noticeable (and controversial), but this FOX ranking felt like the last straw. Fans aren't having it. They've taken to social media to complain. Sure, this is (and fellow Eagle Landon Dickerson is also deserving of a mention), but it does beg the question. Where is DeVonta? The answer to that question derives from something else that is rarely mentioned. Smith isn't often given the credit he deserves because Philly is home to elite wide receivers. Fans don't want to vote two Eagles receivers to the Pro Bowl every season. They don't want to name two Eagles as All-Pros. If Smith is placed on most of the NFL's other rosters, he's the top guy on the depth chart, but playing on a roster with so many great players sometimes means he'll be overlooked. That's just how it goes sometimes. Let's get back to FOX's list. Sure, most who are mentioned are deserving, and that begs the question. Who would be removed if DeVonta is added? That's a debate that would require another 1,000 words or so, but here's where we can begin the discussion. Let's start by giving Smith Trevor Lawrence's spot. What has he ever done to be ranked so high?
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Top 10 all-time highest-rated recruits in Alabama football history
When taking a look back at the last two decades in particular, a big reason why the Alabama Crimson Tide have had success on the football field is due to their results on the recruiting trail. Under former head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide brought in numerous top-ranked recruiting classes, a trend that seems to be continuing with Kalen DeBoer now in charge at Alabama. Advertisement When taking a deeper look at some of those classes as well, many of the same groups were headlined by a player-or-two who was among the nation's best in that cycle. Some of those same names also went on to live up to the hype they garnered as high school recruits as well once in Tuscaloosa, going on to shine for the Crimson Tide. Taking an overall look at the program's storied history as well, who are some of the top high school prospects that the Crimson Tide have ever landed, and what did they then go on to do once at Alabama? With every name mentioned rated as a five-star prospect when they came to Tuscaloosa, here are the 10 highest-rated recruits in Alabama football history, according to the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings. 10. Najee Harris, Running Back Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Najee Harris (22) runs the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Pete Werner (20) during the third quarter in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Alabama's 2017 recruiting class was the nation's best that cycle, boasting a total of six five-star prospects that were headlined by the nation's No. 2 overall player in running back Najee Harris out of Antioch High School in California. A class that also included the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy, and DeVonta Smith, among others, Harris ended his Alabama career with a combined 3,843 rushing yards and 57 total touchdowns from 2017-20, and won two national championships with the Crimson Tide in 2017 and 2020. 9. Brodie Croyle, Quarterback Jan 1, 2006; Dallas, Texas USA; Alabama Crimson quarterback (12) Brodie Croyle throws a pass against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Texas. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright 2006 Tim Heitman A member of Alabama's 2001 recruiting class, quarterback Brodie Croyle is one of the top in-state recruits to end up playing in Tuscaloosa ever, joining the Crimson Tide as the nation's No. 2 overall player that cycle out of Westbrook Christian School. Croyle went on to become a multi-year starter in Tuscaloosa from 2002-05 where he held a career 56.2 CMP% with 6,382 passing yards and a 41:22 TD:INT ratio. 8. Keon Keeley, Edge Rusher Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; General view of Alabama Crimson Tide helmets during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images A current member of Alabama's football roster entering the 2025 season, edge rusher Keon Keeley was the highest-rated of four five-star prospects in the Crimson Tide's 2023 class alongside the likes of Kadyn Proctor and Caleb Downs, rated as the nation's No. 2 overall player out of Berkeley Prep School in Florida. So far across two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Keeley has a combined three tackles. 7. Eyabi Okie-Anoma, Edge Rusher Alabama linebacker Eyabi Anoma (9) during the second half in the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, April 13, 2019. Anoma01 Alabama's 2018 recruiting class had a pair of five-star prospects who ranked within the Top 10 players nationally, the highest-rated of which was edge rusher Eyabi Okie-Anoma, over cornerback Patrick Surtain II, at No. 4 in the nation out of St. Frances Academy in Maryland. A player who concluded his collegiate career elsewhere, Okie-Anoma amassed a combined nine tackles and two TFL while at Alabama. 6. JC Latham, Offensive Tackle Sep 30, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham (65) celebrates with a cow bell in Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State University. Alabama defeated Mississippi State 40-17. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News The Crimson Tide's 2021 recruiting class was certainly a memorable one boasting seven five-star prospects, with the highest-rated being offensive tackle JC Latham, the nation's No. 3 overall player out of IMG Academy in Florida. Latham went on to become a multi-year starter along Alabama's offensive line while in Tuscaloosa. 5. Julio Jones, Wide Receiver Nov 26, 2010; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Julio Jones (8) avoids the tackle of Auburn Tiger safety Mike McNeil (26) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports Julio Jones was the top name in Alabama's 2008 recruiting class, joining the Crimson Tide as the nation's No. 3 overall player out of in-state Foley High School, and also provided one of the most memorable recruiting moments in the program's history. A one-time national champion in 2009, the wide receiver ended his Alabama career from 2008-10 with 2,653 receiving yards and 17 total touchdowns. 4. Cyrus Kouandijo, Offensive Tackle Jul 18, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; An Alabama Crimson Tide helmet is shown on the main stage during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports Alabama's 2011 recruiting class was the nation's best that cycle, with the headline name of that group being Cyrus Kouandijo, an offensive tackle who ranked as the No. 2 overall player nationally out of DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland. A two-time national champion in 2011 and 2012, Kouandijo was a multi-year starter along Alabama's offensive line. 3. Andre Smith, Offensive Tackle Nov 29, 2008; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Andre Smith (71) blocks Auburn Tigers defensive end Antoine Carter (45) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports Offensive tackle Andre Smith is the highest-rated in-state prospect to ever commit to Alabama, joining the Crimson Tide as the headline name in the program's 2006 recruiting class out of Huffman High School where he was rated the nation's No. 1 overall player. An instant starter in Tuscaloosa, Smith was an impactful member of the offensive line for Alabama from 2006-08. 2. Bryce Young, Quarterback Sep 10, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks to throw a pass against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports The two highest-rated recruits in Alabama football history are both quarterbacks, the first of which is Bryce Young, who, as a member of the Crimson Tide's 2020 recruiting class, was the nation's No. 2 overall prospect out of Mater Dei High School in California. A one-time national champion in 2020, Young ended his three-year Alabama career with a 65.8 CMP%, 8,356 passing yards, and an 80:12 TD:INT ratio, and is the lone Crimson Tide quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, doing so in 2021. 1. Keelon Russell, Quarterback Apr 12, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russel (12) throws prior to the game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images A current member of Alabama's 2025 roster, quarterback Keelon Russell is the highest-rated recruit in Crimson Tide program history, coming to Tuscaloosa as the headline name in the 2025 recruiting class, rated as the No. 2 overall player nationally out of Duncanville High School in Texas. Russell is the lone member of this group yet to appear in a collegiate game, as the quarterback is currently entering his true freshman season at Alabama in 2025. Advertisement Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Keelon Russell, Bryce Young top Alabama football all-time recruits
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Start time, TV channel announced for Clemson vs. LSU Week 1 college football season opener
Start time, TV channel announced for Clemson vs. LSU Week 1 college football season opener Week 1 of the 2025 college football season will feature four prominent games between the ACC and SEC, including the Clemson Tigers' much-hyped showdown vs. the LSU Tigers in Memorial Stadium. Veteran college football insider Brett McMurphy reported Tuesday that Clemson and LSU will kick off in prime time at 7:30 p.m. ET from Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC. Earlier that day, Syracuse will face the Tennessee Volunteers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at noon ET. The game will be televised on ABC. At 3:30 p.m. ET, the Florida State Seminoles will host the Alabama Crimson Tide at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee. That game will also be televised on ABC, McMurphy reported. Virginia Tech and South Carolina are scheduled to meet Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on ESPN. For Clemson and LSU, it will be their first head-to-head meeting since the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Jan. 13, 2020. LSU and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow capped a 15-0 season by beating Dabo Swinney's Tigers, 42-25, at the Superdome in New Orleans. This year's meeting between Clemson and LSU will be the fifth all-time between the two schools. LSU leads the series, 3-1, with Clemson's only victory coming in the 2012 Peach Bowl, a 25-24 upset on New Year's Eve in Atlanta. LSU will be making its first trip to Memorial Stadium this season, with Clemson set to make its first visit to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge to open the 2026 college football season. Clemson went 10-4 a season ago, beating the SMU Mustangs 34-31 on a 56-yard Nolan Hauser game-winning field goal as time expired in the ACC Championship Game. The Tigers lost to the Texas Longhorns, 38-24, in the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoffs in Austin. LSU is coming off a 9-4 season in Brian Kelly's third year in Baton Rouge. LSU ended its season with a 44-31 win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl on New Year's Eve. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
