Happy Thursday, everyone. Alabama basketball took care of business in Oxford last night, and after the game Nate Oats shared that Rebels’ coach Chris Beard had reached out in support of Charles Bediako.
From Florida to Auburn, the “G League dropout” chants made waves on social media each time.
“He said, ‘Look, I assure you that’s not happening here. I’ve already met with the cheering section and everything’s going to be positive here. He won’t get any of that here,'” Oats said.
The gesture earned “major
respect” from Oats, who added that Beard came by Alabama‘s shootaround and gave him a note to pass along to Bediako.
“It was one of the most classy notes to a kid from an opposing coach, and it doesn’t happen often. But one of the classiest moves I’ve ever seen. He didn’t do it to get any recognition,” Oats said, adding the knew Beard would give Bediako the message himself if he could.
College basketball is known for unruly student sections. This is a kind gesture, but as a player who just have to develop thick skin.
Kalen DeBoer hired a new tight ends coach.
Alabama football is expected to hire Richard Owens as its next tight ends coach, a source with knowledge of the hire told AL.com Wednesday.
Owens has spent the past three seasons coaching the offensive line for his alma mater, Louisville. CBS Sports first reported the news.
Owens will replace Bryan Ellis, who coached tight ends for the past two seasons, after Kalen DeBoer moved Ellis over to coach the quarterbacks heading into 2026.
Owens’ last three jobs have been coaching the offensive line at UAB, Georgia Southern (where he was also run game coordinator) and Louisville, but he has extensive experience coaching tight ends as well.
Fixing the run game continues to be a concern headed into 2026.
But don’t confuse that for being the worst in the SEC by any means. Alabama didn’t have the SEC’s worst blocking. Other schools such as South Carolina, Texas and Vanderbilt allowed more pressures, per Pro Football Focus’ charting. That’s only one measure as there’s more to offensive line play than pass blocking, but it’s a telling statistic nonetheless.
No matter how you view Alabama’s offensive line play in 2025, few, if any, onlookers would consider it a strength.
It’s about time that changed.
After a season to forget for the run game as a whole, the road forward looks to be a positive one.
Crowell is now officially in the Crimson Tide’s running back room, one of the highest-rated Alabama high school backs in recent memory, finishing his senior season at Jackson High School with 2,632 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns. Crowell is the future of the Alabama run game, one that could emerge as soon as his freshman season with the Crimson Tide.
With Crowell and fellow freshman Trae’shawn Brown joining and backs like AK Dear and Kevin Riley who each have at least three seasons of eligibility remaining, Alabama has long-term staying power in its running back room.
Last, Ty Simpson was invited to the Combine and is currently projected to go in the first round.
Several NFL mock drafts have Simpson being selected by the New York Jets, who have the No. 2 and No. 16 picks in the first round and No. 33 in the second round.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, Pro Football Focus’ Max Chadwick, and The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman have the Jets taking Simpson with the 16th pick in the first round.
Others, including ESPN’s Field Yates, predict Simpson will be selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 21st overall pick.
That’s about it for now. Have a great day.
Roll Tide.
