Happy Thursday, everyone. Alabama basketball notched a key conference win last night, and according to Nate Oats they dodged another couple of bullets on the injury front.
It’s almost comical at this point, but at least they
were both able to play.
Next up is a trip to Auburn which is always a wild and woolly affair. If Charles Bediako is allowed to play, that little bandbox is going to be even more obnoxious than usual. There is a conference call scheduled for today about a continuance that Bediako’s camp requested for discovery purposes. If that is granted, then Chuck will play on Saturday. If not, then his fate will hang in the balance on Friday, when the judge hears his request for injunction as scheduled.
Does the NCAA really want to win this battle, though?
For the NCAA, the best outcome would be for the court to rule in its favor. That would be a high-profile affirmation of the NCAA’s authority to apply its bylaws as written. Such a ruling would arrive as former UCLA guard Amari Bailey (who has appeared in NBA games) is suing for a similar path back to college competition.
If the court allows Bediako to compete, however, it might not be the huge loss for the NCAA that many will interpret it to be. That’s because another highly publicized setback to NCAA enforcement authority would likely heighten the urgency around the NCAA’s ongoing efforts on Capitol Hill and potentially strengthen its push for an antitrust exemption.
It’s an interesting question.
National Signing Day came and went yesterday without much fanfare. Alabama finished with a strong class.
The composite rankings, which take into account other companies’ marks as well as 247Sports’ own, has Alabama’s 2026 class ranked No. 2 nationally behind Southern Cal. The Trojans currently have 36 signees, compared Alabama’s 26.
Oregon, Ohio State and Notre Dame round out the top five.
Alabama might be the only SEC team to land in the composite top 5, but four made the top 10: No. 6 Georgia, No. 7 Texas, No. 8 Tennessee and No. 10 Texas A&M.
In 247Sports’ own rankings, Alabama didn’t fare quite as well, pegged at sixth. LSU topped that list, which also includes transfer portal additions. Ohio State, Texas, Notre Dame and Southern Cal were also ahead of the Tide.
Here are a few of the dudes who are expected to make some sort of immediate impact.
5-star Linebacker – Xavier Griffin – Gainesville, Ga. – Griffin is regarded as one of the most versatile defenders in the Class of 2026 and chose Alabama over Southern Cal, Georgia, Florida State and others. He projects as an off-ball linebacker at the college level, but also shows ample pass rushing ability, making him a unique chess piece for Kane Wommack’s “Swarm D”. Griffin is being compared to former first round pick Jihaad Campbell with his ability to play multiple positions and he shows the coaching staff’s emphasis on speed a positional versatility.
5-star Running Back – EJ Crowell – Jackson, Ala. – Crowell reclassified into the class as he plans on skipping his senior year of high school. He is still considered the No. 1 running back in the class, despite being a year younger than all his counterparts. He earned Alabama’s “Mr. Football” award after rushing for over 2,600 yards and 35 touchdowns and helping Jackson to a Class 4A State Championship. He immediately adds juice to a Crimson Tide running back room that underwhelmed in 2025.
The hierarchy of Alabama’s 2026 wide receiver room seems penciled in: Ryan Williams, Lotzeir Brooks and NC State transfer Noah Rogers.
But Cederian Morgan brings something entirely different. His 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame automatically makes him a red-zone threat, and brings a different body type to the room, one shared by incoming sophomore Derek Meadows at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds.
If Morgan can learn to block at a high level, it will be hard to keep Morgan off the field and in the running for touchdown grabs from either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell.
Much was made about the blocking on the OL last year, but the receivers were poor in that area as well. Offense gets much easier when the screen game and perimeter runs can reliably gain yardage.
Kalen DeBoer spoke about the new OL coach.
“Adrian Klemm has a reputation for recruiting and developing players at every level, having worked with some of the top offensive lines in his 15-plus years coaching,” DeBoer said in a statement. “He has a deep knowledge and passion for the game, and I know that he will be able to have an immediate impact on our program. We look forward to having him on staff.”
Klemm has been reportedly tied to the Alabama job since Monday, Jan. 26.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful for this opportunity to join Coach DeBoer’s staff at The University of Alabama,” Klemm said in a statement. “The tradition, culture and championship standard in Tuscaloosa is second to none. I’m excited to get to work with our players and this staff, and it feels great to be a part of the Alabama family. Roll Tide!”
Last, Maryland is trying to hire Jeremy Pruitt.
The talks between Locksley and Pruitt are known throughout the Maryland football department, sources told FootballScoop. The deal is not yet finalized, but multiple sources with direct knowledge confirmed Pruitt’s candidacy to FootballScoop.
A former national championship-winning defensive coordinator who rose to acclaim when he transitioned from Hoover (Alabama) High School to Nick Saban’s University of Alabama coaching staff, the 51-year-old Pruitt was fired from his perch atop the University of Tennessee football program in January 2021 amidst an NCAA probe into allegations of pervasive flaunting of the rules in Pruitt’s Vols program.
Alabama fans should handle that well.
That’s about it for now. Have a great day.
Roll Tide.
