Happy Friday, everyone. This is a big weekend on the diamonds, as the baseball team heads to Austin for three games against 2nd-ranked Texas, while softball hosts SEC doormat Kentucky. Both will be looking to bounce back, baseball from last weekend’s sweep at the hands of Arkansas, and softball from an inexplicable mid-week loss to Samford.
The big news of the day is Nate Oats’ addition of his latest 6’7” marksman.
“Cloer is a big-time shooter of the basketball who also possesses good wing size and
bounce at the rim,” 247Sports director of scouting wrote in his assessment of Cloer. “He has a high and compact release, gets beautiful loft and rotation on his ball, and is a threat to make all different types of shots. He can make threes on the move or off the dribble, knocked down 43% of his open spot-up threes in EYBL play, and also has a complimenting pull-up game with his ability to score overtop of most opposing wings. Most of all, he has that outward confidence and swagger that almost all great shot-makers share.
Cloer reclassified and took a redshirt year, so he still has four years of eligibility. His shooting stroke is his calling card, and it is smooth.
In this offense, he should get plenty of opportunities to launch.
The final spring football practice is officially in the books. Tide 100.9 has some photos for your perusal.
A rule change may have the Tide playing a week earlier next season.
The change, which the NCAA’s FBS Oversight Commitee propsed Thursday, would standardize the start of the season. Beginning in 2027, all teams could begin their seasons the weekend before Labor Day weekend, typically the last or next-to-last week of August, or what has been known as Week 0.
The Crimson Tide was prepared for the eventuality. The proposed rule will need the Division I Council to adopt it in June to take effect, but if that happens, two UA games will move.
First, in 2027, the Tide’s game against Marshall to open the season would move from Sept. 4 to August 28 according to the game contract between the two schools, obtained by AL.com via an open records request.
Tuscaloosa in August, eh? Should be nice and comfortable in the stadium.
Another rule change around eligibility that was proposed in Trump’s recent executive order has been tabled for now, but future discussion is planned.
The NCAA‘s “five-for-five” eligibility proposal remains an idea and not official policy after the Division I Cabinet kicked the can down the road regarding the concept that would revolutionize student-athletes’ eligibility.
“It’s not a tweak, it’s a structural shift,” one Division I college basketball coach told USA TODAY Sports.
On Wednesday, April 15, the group elected to “not take a formal position” but will continue to discuss the concept that implements an eligibility window of five years, starting the year after an athlete’s high school graduation or their 19th birthday.
The “no redshirts” concept is intriguing.
Brandon Marcello of CBS Sports is high on the Tide this season.
“(W)e’re going out on a limb and forecasting a 10- or 11-win regular season. Quarterback Keelon Russell has not yet officially been named the starter, but he should win the job in August. He was impressive in the spring and provides an additional dynamic that Ty Simpson did not. Simply put, he fits offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s designs. The Tide has plenty of time to warm up in September, and the schedule sets up a 10-win goal, with road trips to Tennessee and LSU as the toughest away from Bryant-Denny Stadium. Adding 40 new players but missing out on NC State running back Hollywood Smothers gives us pause, but that schedule and Grubb’s history of developing quarterbacks are enough this fall.” –Brandon Marcello, CBS Sports.
New women’s basketball coach Pauline Love added a guard from the portal.
At 5-foot-11, Anderson’s commitment to Alabama serves as one of the first big additions made this offseason by new head coach Pauline Love. The rising sophomore flashed her potential on multiple occasions during her time with the Eagles last season, as Anderson could undoubtedly play a critical role next year following the departure of multiple key players.
Anderson has officially committed to Alabama following an excellent freshman campaign at Boston College, as the Tide will more than likely continue to reload in the portal as the offseason progresses.
Ayell dot com is doing a series on the best Alabama players to be drafted in each round. Bradley Bozeman gets the top spot in the sixth.
Center Bradley Bozeman, No. 215 in 2018 by the Baltimore Ravens
After making one start as a rookie, Bozeman took every offensive snap at left guard for Baltimore in 2019, when the Ravens set an NFL record for single-season rushing yards, and he was back at that spot in 2020, when Baltimore led the NFL in rushing again. In 2021, the former Handley High School standout returned to his college position as the Ravens’ center. After playing for the Carolina Panthers for two seasons, Bozeman started 35 games for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and 2025 before announcing his retirement this offseason.
Last, Alabama’s golf teams are going to be living well.
That’s about it for today. Have a great weekend.
Roll Tide.
