Bama Women's Basketball Defeats SMU; Alabama Flips Josh Jobe To Tide Football; Bama Football Snags 3-Star All-Purpose Back Jerome Ford; Tide Football Boasts 16 Commits For 2018; Alabama Football 2018 Recruiting Moves Up To 7th

Alabama Women's Basketball Defeats SMU

Hannah Cook
Alabama Women's Basketball
Photo Credit: UA Athletics/Amelia Barton

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The University of Alabama women's basketball team used a strong second-half performance to blitz SMU 42-27 in the second to capture a big 59-44 win Sunday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus.

Alabama women's basketball head coach Kristy Curry said, "I loved everything about our effort the first two quarters. I thought we were taking good shots. We were working hard. Obviously, defensively, had a really good half to hold them to 17 points, and knew that in the third and fourth quarters our shots would start to fall. I just told our kids to stay positive at half, and we got back out a few minutes early to get some shots up.

"We certainly weathered a very ugly first and second quarter, as far as shooting the ball, and found a way to win down the stretch. It was a good day for us. It's a tough game to play after finals, and I loved how our kids responded down the stretch."

The 7-3 Crimson Tide hit on 18-of-24 (75 percent) from the free throw line in the second half to overcome the Mustangs (4-6).

Leading all scorers on the day was Bama senior Hannah Cook with 13 points, moving her up to No. 14 all-time in scoring at Alabama with a career point total of 1,197. The Tide looked good off the bench, with sophomore transfer Amber Richardson pumping in eight points in her first game for Alabama. Senior Ashley Williams and sophomore Ashley Knight were also able to add an additional nine points apiece in the win.

The Crimson Tide returns to the court on Tuesday, December 19th for a noon CT contest to battle Missouri State in Coleman Coliseum.  The game will air live on SEC Network+.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	SMU	UA
FG%	.226	.246
3FG%	.133	.160
FT%	.824	.767
RB	53	51
TO	17	8
STL	3	7

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Crimson Tide Completes 2nd Day Of Bowl Prep

Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - The University of Alabama football team has completed its second practice of the postseason Saturday afternoon in preparation to face the Clemson Tigers, working a nearly two-hour session in pads inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility on the UA campus.

Saturday's practice completed the second of seven bowl practices before the holiday break and 12 practices overall prior to the College Football Playoff Semifinal against Clemson to be held in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Tide will face top-ranked Clemson on Monday, January 1, 2018 with the game set to be broadcast live on ESPN at 7:45 p.m. CT. Joe Tessitore and Todd Blackledge will call the action from the booth, while Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge will work the sidelines.

Minkah Fitzpatrick was practicing with the team, though his had a wrap on his injured hamstring. He is expected to be 100 percent well before the playoff game.

LaBryan Ray wasn't on the practice field Saturday. He was, however, working on the exercise bike rehabbing his injury. He is expected to be back on the practice field by the week before the playoff game with Clemson.

Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt was still not at practice on Saturday due to his recruiting duties as the new head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. He is scheduled to be at the next practice session however.

Two of the new Bama commits have enrolled and were on the practice field on Saturday. Junior college transfer defensive back Saivion Smith as well as freshman outside linebacker Jarez Parks were both decked out in helmets and shorts while the rest of the team was in full uniforms.

This will be the 18th meeting between the Crimson Tide and Tigers in the history of the series that dates back to 1900. Bama leads the series13-4, with the two most recent contests coming in the 2016 and 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Games. Alabama rallied to defeat the No. 1 Tigers by a score of 45-40 to capture the Tide's 16th national championship in the 2016 game. The Tigers then returned the favor with a come-from-behind 35-31 victory in the 2017 championship.

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Alabama Football Flips Long-Time Miami Commit
Josh Jobe Now Chooses The Crimson Tide

Josh Jobe
Twitter Photo

Recruiting news coming from The Capstone just keeps getting better. Long-time Miami Hurricanes commitment Joshua Jobe (Cheshire, Connecticut) has announced his de-commitment from Miami to The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football program. The 6' 1", 180-pounder is the No. 13 rated cornerback and No. 95 overall player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite.

In his tweet, Jobe said:

I want to thank all coaches from the University of Miami but at this time I have to do what is best for me, my future and my family. I will be signing with the University of Alabama on December 20th. #Rolltide pic.twitter.com/bjzoVk94UM

— JJ (@JoshuaMJobe) December 16, 2017

Jobe becomes Alabama's 15th commitment for the 2018 recruiting class, not only making Alabama the No. 8 recruiting class in the country, but also moves the Tide into No. 2 in the Southeastern Conference.

But that's not all. See next story for a new Sunday commitment moving Bama even higher up the recruiting rankings.

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Crimson Tide Football Recruiting

Alabama Snags 3-Star All-Purpose Back Jerome Ford

Jerome Ford
Twitter Photo

The University of Alabama football program added another 2018 commitment on Sunday. Three-star all-purpose back Jerome Ford out of Armwood High School in Seffner, Florida yesterday committed to playing his college football at The Capstone.

The 5' 11", 195-pounder is listed as the No. 14 all-purpose back in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. In addition to his Bama offer, he was also offered by Missouri and Tennessee from the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. 

With the commitment of Ford, Alabama now moves up to the number seven 2018 recruiting class in the nation.

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2018 University Of Alabama Football Commits

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 16 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at The Capstone. These 16 are considered as hard commits to the Crimson Tide. As new commits and signees are announced the list will be updated and released.

Here is the complete list of 2018 commitments and signees to UA as of 012/17/17:

• Jordan Davis, DE (6-6, 240), Memphis, Tennessee
• Xavier Williams, WR/ATH (6-1, 185), Hollywood, Florida
• Quay Walker, OLF ( 6-4, 220), Cordele, Georgia
• Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB (6-0, 160), Mobile, ALABAMA*
• Skyler DeLong, P (6-4, 180), Ft. Mill, South Carolina
• Stephon Wynn, Jr., DE (6-4, 285), Anderson, South Carolina
• Tommy Brown, OT (6-5, 313), Santa Ana ,California
• Slade Bolden, ATH (5-11, 192), West Monroe, Louisiana
• Cameron Latu, DE (6-5, 236), Salt Lake City, Utah
• Vernon Jackson, LB, (6-3, 240), Boling, Texas
• Emil Ekiyor, OL (6-2, 322), Indianapolis, Indiana
• Nadab Joseph, CB (6-2, 180), Miami, Florida
• Michael Parker, TE (6-6, 236), Huntsville, ALABAMA*
• Saivion Smith, CB (6-2, 195), Perkinston, Mississippi
• Josh Jobe, CB (6-1, 180), Cheshire, Connecticut
• Jerome Ford, RB (5-11, 196), Seffner, Florida 

*State of Alabama

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Alabama Crimson Tide Football 2018 Recruiting
Moves Up To No. 7 According to 247Sports

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football program has moved up in the rankings for the Class of 2018 recruiting, according to 247Sports. Two other schools from the Southeastern Conference are listed in the top 10, with Georgia coming in at No. 3 and Auburn at No. 9.

Here is a look at the Top 10 Recruiting Schools for the Class of 2018:

  1  Ohio State
  2  Texas
  3  Georgia
  4  Miami
  5  Penn State
  6  Notre Dame
  7  ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
  8  Oklahoma
  9  Auburn
10  Washington

Bama Begins Bowl Prep; Saban Hires Pete Golding As Defensive Assistant; Nick Saban CFP Prep Press Conference

Alabama Crimson Tide Football Practice Begins
In Preparation For Showdown With Clemson Tigers

Saban at first practice for bowl prep
Photo Credit: UA Athletics/Kent Gidley

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - It has begun. Football practice for The University of Alabama football team is underway, holding its first practice for preparation for the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide held a two-hour workout in shells on Friday afternoon inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility on the beautiful campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

The Friday practice session was the first of seven practices to be held before the Christmas holiday break, with five to follow the return to campus for a total of 12 overall. Friday's focus was mainly fundamentals.

Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring) appears to be 100 percent and a go for the Clemson contest. Mack Wilson (foot) is getting some much-needed extra healing time and should be in great shape for the game. Thought to be lost for the entire season, Christian Miller and Terrell Lewis returned for the contest with Auburn for the Iron Bowl and may have been a bit rusty after a season-long layoff, but expect both to be in much better shape come the playoff game.

Bama is prepping for its College Football Playoff Semifinal against Clemson in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Crimson Tide will battle top-ranked Clemson on Monday, January 1, 2018 in the second playoff game of the day, with the game being broadcast live on ESPN at 7:45 p.m. CT. Joe Tessitore and Todd Blackledge will call the Semifinal contest from the booth, while Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge will work each team's sideline.

The ACC champion and current CFP No. 1 Clemson Tigers enter the College Football Semifinal with a 12-1 overall record as well as an 8-1 ACC record. Clemson earned its way into the playoffs following a 38-3 drubbing of then-No. 7 Miami in the ACC Championship Game on December 3rd. The Tigers are led by head coach, and former Crimson Tide player, Dabo Swinney, who has a 101-29 in his ninth season with the Tigers.

This will be the 18th meeting between Alabama and Clemson in the history of the series that dates back to 1900. The Crimson Tide leads the series by a big 13-4 advantage. The two most recent contests came back-to-back in the 2016 and 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Games. UA rallied to defeat the No. 1 Tigers 45-40 to claim the Tide's 16th national championship in the 2016 game in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers then returned the favor the following year with a come-from-behind 35-31 victory in the 2017 championship in Tampa, Florida.

Photo Credit: UA Athletics/Kent Gidley

Photo Credit: UA Athletics/Kent Gidley

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Alabama Football

Nick Saban Hires Pete Golding
As Defensive Assistant For The Crimson Tide

Pete Golding
Bing.com photo

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Pete Golding, defensive coordinator at the University of Texas-San Antonio, has been hired to serve as a defensive assistant for the Crimson Tide football team according to University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban. The announcement was made on Friday in Tuscaloosa. 

Golding served as the defensive coordinator, as well as coached the defensive backs, at UTSA the past two seasons.

In his announcement release, Saban said, "We are pleased to have Pete and his family join our staff at Alabama. Pete is an exciting young coach, who has an outstanding reputation as both a teacher and recruiter. He will be a great fit in our organization with his knowledge of the game and his ability to relate to student-athletes. We are thrilled to welcome Pete and his family to Alabama."

Golding is no lightweight when it comes to defensive coaching. His 2017 defense ranked seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing just 287.8 yards per game. The Roadrunners finished this past season eighth in scoring defense (17.0 ppg), second in first downs defense (166) and 19th in pass efficiency defense (112.19). UT-San Antonio made a vast improvement defensively under Golding's tutelage. The Statesmen allowed 156 less yards per game and 16.8 less point per game in 2017 as  compared 2015.

Golding commented, "I have always had an incredible admiration for The University of Alabama and the organization Coach Saban has built in Tuscaloosa. Words can't express how excited I am to have the opportunity to work for Coach Saban – it just doesn't get any better for a defensive coach. There is such a rich tradition of success around this program, and I look forward to contributing to that success moving forward."

Golding served as an assistant coach in charge of safeties at Southern Miss before joining the UTSA staff for his two-year tenure. The Golden Eagles won six more games than previously in just his second season, capping a 9-5 overall season as well as winning the Western Division of Conference USA.

He had also served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Southeastern Louisiana for two seasons (2012-13). Golding helped lead the Lions program to a school-record 11 wins as well as its first Southern conference title since 1961.  Prior to his time in Hammond, he served as the defensive coordinator at his alma mater Delta State in 2010-11, leading the Statesman to the 2010 NCAA Division II National Championship Game and the Gulf South Conference title.

Golding also served on staff for three year at Tusculum coaching the defensive backs, then coordinated the defense his final two years there. He began his career as a graduate assistant at Delta State in 2006 after starting four seasons at safety for the Statesmen (2002-05).

Golding and his wife Carolyn have two children, Braxton and Bentley. Golding graduated from Delta State in 2005 with a degree in business.

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Nick Saban Press Conference

Click H E R E to watch press conference via Tide TV

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Bama Football Places 6 On AFCA All-America Team; Early Signing Period Just Days Away For Alabama Football

Crimson Tide Football Places 6 On
2017 AFCA All-America Team

WACO, Texas – Heading into post-season play the Alabama Crimson Tide football team is again scoring points off the field, placing six players on the 2017 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the association.

Being named to the first team for The University of Alabama football program were senior linebacker Rashaan Evans and junior defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. Named to the second team were Tide senior center Bradley Bozeman, junior defensive lineman Da'Ron Payne, senior punter JK Scott and sophomore offensive lineman Jonah Williams.

Two Crimson Tide student-athletes were also on the AFCA 2016 team, Fitzpatrick as a first-team AFCA honoree Scott was a second-team pick a season ago. With his selection, Fitzpatrick now becomes a unanimous unanimous 2017 All-America honoree, who was also a first-team selection by Walter Camp, the Football Writers Association of America, the Associated Press and The Sporting News this season.

The UA football program tied the record for the most selections for one team in the 73-year history of the AFCA All-America team with its six selections. Bama now is tied for the most picks ever with the Oklahoma football program, which also had six selections in 2003. Alabama has now had 70 players honored for a total of 74 times by the AFCA, the most of any college football program in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Evans ranks third on the Crimson Tide defense in tackles with 57, leads Bama with 10.5 tackles for loss and is tied for the team lead in quarterback hurries with seven. He also ranks second on the team in sacks with five and has added two pass breakups, a forced fumble and one fumble recovery despite missing two games due to injury this season.

Fitzpatrick, the 2017 winner of Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe awards, is UA's fifth-leading tackler with 52 stops and has played at every position in the secondary for the Crimson Tide this season. He has to his credit six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, seven pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and a blocked kick this season.

Bozeman, now in his second season as Bama's starting center, has graded out at an average of 85.6 percent as a senior, contributing 16 knockdown blocks and having only seven missed assignments in 724 snaps (99.0 percent success rate). He has allowed just two sacks and four pressures this season and while fighting and blocking in the trenches for six 100-yard rushing games this year, giving him 17 in his 28 career starts at center.

Big man Payne has done a fantastic job for the Tide defensive front as an effective effective run stopper, having totaled 45 tackles (37 against the run) one sack, a team-high eight quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Scott has won the hearts of the Crimson Tide faithful repeatedly, punting 42 times in 2017, averaging 43.4 yards per kick with a net average of 42.4 ypp. He has been a phenom at placing kicks just where they need to go, with 52.3 percent of his kicks inside the 20 (22 of 42), which leads the nation. The senior also leads the country in fair catch percentage at 54.8 (23 of 42) and fewest punts returned (three returns for two yards). Scott is averaging 45.8 yards per punt in his career on 231 attempts, an average that leads punters all time at Alabama.

Williams has been a starter since the first game of his freshman season in 2016, and also received third-team All-America recognition from the Associated Press this season. He is credited with 20 knockdown blocks in his sophomore season and has posted an average grade of 86.9 percent while giving up only half of a sack and four pressures in 734 offensive snaps. He has blocked for 17 100-yard rushers in his two-year career, including six in 2017.

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Early Signing Period Is Only Days Away

For The Alabama Crimson Tide Football Program

Photo from Bing.com

Early signing period begins December 20th for The University of Alabama football program. Of course it's the same for all FBS schools, but the rest are of little consequence for the Crimson Tide faithful. While the NCAA Early Signing Period begins in just six days, the so-called dead period begins after just three days, the 17th, where there can be no in-person contact between potential signees and schools. December 20 - 22, however, is a three-day window.

How many signees can each school pick up in this first-ever Early Signing Period? Well, being the first, only an educated guess will have to suffice. Most of the so-called experts believe about 70 percent of commitments will sign with their prospective choices during this period, but jumps to 90 percent for those planning to enroll early at their school-of-choice.

For 2018 the Tide has 14 verbal commitments and is currently ranked ninth in the FBS according to 247Sports (See associated article in a previous blog). Alabama has anywhere from three to seven fewer commits at this writing than the eight teams currently ranked ahead of UA. Of the 14 commits, the Tide boasts 10 four-star and three three-star student-athletes.

The Tide is looking to pick up in the neighborhood of three to four defensive linemen and the same for the defensive backs positions.

Just based on numbers and need, Alabama won't achieve the signees needed to become the No. 1 recruiting class again this season. Don't despair, Bama faithful. That is only because of the outstanding recruiting job during the last several recruiting cycles. The Tide will once again have the players needed to continue its dominance of college football in future seasons.

 

Fitzpatrick, Bozeman Receive More Honors; 2018 UA Football Commitments; Crimson Tide Gymnastics Ranked 4th In Preseason Coaches Poll; Jalyn Armour-Davis Plans To Sign Early With Bama Football; Former UA Kicker Gunnar Raborn Named FCS All-American

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Bradley Bozeman Named To
The Sporting News All-America Team

Minkah Fitzpatrick
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The Crimson Tide continues to roll! The honors continue for members of the University of Alabama football team. UA junior defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick as well as senior center Bradley Bozeman have received All-America honors from The Sporting News (TSN). The announcement came on Tuesday afternoon. Fitzpatrick was named to TSN's first team while Bozeman was named to the second team.

Fitzpatrick has continued to wow his team, opposing teams and their coaches and now those who vote on the various awards. He is a consensus first-team All-American for 2017, having been previously recognized by Walter Camp, The Football Writers Association of America and the Associated Press. Bozeman has now received second-team honors from all four groups.

No one can doubt the contribution that Fitzpatrick has made to the Alabama defense this season. The young man is the 2017 winner of Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe awards, and has served as the "quarterback" for the Bama defense. Fitzpatrick is Alabama's fifth-leading tackler with 52 solo stops this season. He has also recorded six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, seven pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and a blocked kick this season.

Bradley Bozeman is now in his second season as the starting center for the Tide, and has graded out at an average of 85.6 percent as a senior recording 16 knockdown blocks and just seven missed assignments in 724 snaps (99.0 percent success rate). He has allowed only two sacks and four pressures this season as well as blocking for six 100-yard rushing games this year, giving him 17 in his 28 career starts at center for the Crimson Tide.

Bradley Bozeman
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

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2018 University Of Alabama Football Commits

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 14 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at The Capstone. These 14 are considered as hard commits to the Crimson Tide. As new commits and signees are announced the list will be updated and released.

Here is the complete list of 2018 commitments and signees to UA as of 012/12/17:

• Jordan Davis, DE (6-6, 240), Memphis, Tennessee
• Xavier Williams, WR/ATH (6-1, 185), Hollywood, Florida
• Quay Walker, OLF ( 6-4, 220), Cordele, Georgia
• Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB (6-0, 160), Mobile, ALABAMA*
• Skyler DeLong, P (6-4, 180), Ft. Mill, South Carolina
• Stephon Wynn, Jr., DE (6-4, 285), Anderson, South Carolina
• Tommy Brown, OT (6-5, 313), Santa Ana ,California
• Slade Bolden, ATH (5-11, 192), West Monroe, Louisiana
• Cameron Latu, DE (6-5, 236), Salt Lake City, Utah
• Vernon Jackson, LB, (6-3, 240), Boling, Texas
• Emil Ekiyor, OL (6-2, 322), Indianapolis, Indiana
• Nadab Joseph, CB (6-2, 180), Miami, Florida
• Michael Parker, TE (6-6, 236), Huntsville, ALABAMA*
• Saivion Smith, CB (6-2, 195), Perkinston, Mississippi

*State of Alabama

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Alabama Gymnastics Ranked 4th 

In Preseason Coaches Poll

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The first of the polls are out, and The University of Alabama gymnastics team comes in at No. 4 in the preseason coaches' poll. Crimson Tide gymnastics is scheduled to open the new season on Friday, January 5th on the road with the Michigan Wolverines. 

Bama has a daunting schedule this coming season, facing five members of the preseason top 10, including No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 10 Kentucky at home in Coleman Coliseum as well as No. 2 Florida, No. 3 LSU and No. 7 Michigan on the road. Overall, UA gymnastics will face nine teams in the top 20, including No. 14 Auburn, No. 16 Georgia, No. 17 Missouri and No. 19 Arkansas, giving Alabama one of the nation's toughest schedules in the nation again this season.

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Crimson Tide Commit Jalyn Armour-Davis

Will Now Sign Early With Alabama Football

Jalyn Armour-Davis
Photo Credit: GridironNow.com

Previously not planning to sign with the Crimson Tide in the December signing period, University of Alabama cornerback commit Jalyn Armour-Davis will now going ahead and sign his national letter of intent this month. Armour-Davis is not allowed to graduate early due to the policy of the school which he attends, so he was previously planning to sign in January and take a few visits as well.Not any more.

According to Ben Thomas of AL.com, Armour-Davis, a 4-star prospect from St. Paul’s Episcopal (Mobile, Alabama), will now sign during the early signing period and shut down his recruitment.

In a statement to Thomas, St. Pauls head coach Steven Mask said, "I'm glad he’s going to go ahead and sign. If you know where you are going to go, I think you should go ahead and do it. I’m not a big fan of committing to school and then continuing to take a lot of visits. If you are engaged to someone, you are not going to be dating other people. The word committed should mean something."

Armour-Davis will enroll at Alabama next summer.

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Former UA Kicker Gunnar Raborn
Named AP FCS 2nd-Team All-American

Former UA kicker Gunnar Raborn
Photo Credit: Raborn Twitter photo

Former University of Alabama football walk-on kicker Gunnar Raborn has been named an Associated Press FCS second-team All-American. The announcement came on Tuesday.

Raborn is in his second year at McNeese State, and has been successful on 12 of his 13 field goal attempts. His longest was a 52 yard kick this season. Raborn converted seven of eight in his first season at McNeese State.

As a freshman with the Crimson Tide in 2014, Raborn was the backup kicker but found himself suspended indefinitely in September 2015 due to an arrest and subsequent DUI charge. He chose to leave Alabama for McNeese State.

Three For Bama Football Named All-Americans; Crimson Tide Football 9th In 2018 Recruiting; Bama Volleyball's Leah Lawrence CoSIDA Academic All-American

Three For Crimson Tide Football
Earn All-America Honors

Graphics/Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Honors are again rolling in for University of Alabama football student-athletes. Crimson Tide junior defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and senior center Bradley Bozeman received All-America honors from the Football Writers of America (FWAA) and Associated Press (AP), while sophomore offensive tackle Jonah Williams also joined Bozeman on the AP team. The announcements were made on Monday by both organizations.

Fitzpatrick was honored by being named to the FWAA and Associated Press first teams while Bozeman was a second-team selection by both organizations. Williams was named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. Fitzpatrick was also an AP first-team honoree in 2016. The FWAA and AP selections are the first for Bozeman while Williams was honored for the first time by AP.

Fitzpatrick, the 2017 winner of Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe awards, is the Bama's fifth-leading tackler with 52 tackles during the 2017 season. Fitzpatrick, an Old Bridge, New Jersey native, has also recorded six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and a blocked kick.

In just his second season as UA's starting center, Bozeman has graded out at an average of 85.6 percent in his senior season, recording 16 knockdown blocks and had just seven missed assignments in 724 snaps (99.0 percent success rate). He has allowed just two sacks and four pressures this season and has blocked for six 100-yard rushing games this year, giving him 17 in his 28 career starts at center.

Williams has been a starter since the first game of his freshman season in 2016, Williams was honored as a first-team All-SEC honoree this season. He has recorded 20 knockdown blocks on the season and an average grade of  86.9 percent while giving up only half of a sack and four pressures in 734 offensive snaps this season. He has blocked for 17 100-yard rushers in his 27-game career, including six in 2017.

Congratulations to Minkah Fitzpatrick, Bradley Bozeman and Jonah Williams. Thank you for a job well done! Roll Tide! 

Minkah Fitzpatrick
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

Bradley Bozeman
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

Jonah Williams
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

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Alabama Football 9th In 2018 Recruiting

It really wasn't all that long ago that University of Alabama football recruiting for the class of 2018 was ranked in the 70s. The climb was slow. Many panicked. Was the run of Top 10 (mostly number one) recruiting classes over for Crimson Tide football under the direction of UA football head coach Nick Saban?

Of course not.

The Tide is now ranked ninth in 2018 recruiting according to 247Sports.

Here is a look at the Top 10 schools for the class of 2018:

  1. Ohio State

  2. Texas

  3. Miami

  4. Georgia

  5. Penn State

  6. Oklahoma

  7. Notre Dame

  8. Auburn

  9. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

10. Oregon

Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting for the class of 2018 is currently ranked third overall in the Southeastern Conference.

*SEC teams*

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Alabama Volleyball

Leah Lawrence Named CoSIDA Academic All-American

Leah Lawrence
Photo Credit: UA Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – Honors are not out of the ordinary for University of Alabama soccer senior Leah Lawrence. In an announcement made on Monday afternoon, Lawrence was selected to the 2017 CoSIDA Academic All-America Volleyball third team.

This is the first Academic All-America selection of Lawrence's career, following a second-consecutive Academic All-Region honor earlier this season. The CoSida award is the seventh in Crimson Tide program history and the fifth under Alabama head coach Ed Allen. At least one Bama volleyball student-athlete has earned Academic All-America distinction every year since 2014. Lawrence joins former teammates and two-time winners Sierra Wilson (2014-15) and Krystal Rivers (2014, 2016) in this prestigious group of Alabama volleyball student-athletes.

Lawrence commented, "I'm so grateful for this honor. I would like to thank God, my coaches and teammates, the University of Alabama and our athletics department, my family, friends and the Alabama volleyball fans. I couldn't have achieved anything without all the support I have received. Thank you all so much!"

The talented Ms. Lawrence is pursuing her master's degree in finance, holding a 4.00 grade point average after earning her undergraduate degree in just three years in the same field with a 3.99 GPA. On the court, Lawrence started all 32 matches for the Crimson Tide during the current season, leading the team with 279 kills, a .313 hitting percentage and 123 blocks. In the Nov. 12 match vs. Tennessee, She broke the Alabama's career blocks record that had stood for 15 years in the November 12th match against Tennessee, and finished her four-year career with 449. She also ranks second in career block assists (358) and is third in solo blocks (91) and matches played (129).

Bama Women's Basketball Wins; Jeremy Pruitt's Effect On 2018 Football Recruiting; Kloyee Anderson Signs With Tide Softball; Alabama Men's Basketball Falls For 3rd Time This Season

Alabama Women's Basketball


Bama Grabs Grambling State By The Throat,
Defeats Tigers 73-49 On Sunday Afternoon

Photo Credit: UA Athletics/Jake Arthur

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – It wasn't even close. Alabama Crimson Tide senior Hannah Cook picked up her first double-double of the season, the fifth of her career,  with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the University of Alabama women's basketball team to a 73-49 victory on Sunday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa.

UA women's basketball head coach Kristy Curry said, "I think the thing today was that we just stayed the course, and it was a little ugly at times, but I loved the way our team stayed together and had a big third quarter. We had nearly five in double figures, which is huge and also out-rebounded them by 19, with 32 points off our bench. We dominated on the boards and it was just an overall great team win today."

With the win, Alabama (6-3) remains undefeated against the Tigers (3-4) all-time, moving to 7-0.

Cook's 20-point performance now moves her to 15th in all-time career points at The Capstone with a total of 1,184 points in her four years with Bama. Senior Ashley Williams pumped in 12 points and seven rebounds of her own on Sunday, while sophomore Jordan Lewis tied her own career-high performance with eight assists as well as putting nine points on the board.

The Crimson Tide dominated the boards, out-rebounding State 51-32, while blocking nine shots in taking the victory yesterday.

Next up for Bama will be SMU on Sunday December 17th at 2 p.m. CT. The Tide will host the Mustangs in Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. The game will air live on SEC Network+.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	GS	UA
FG%	.323	.441
3FG%	.067	.333
FT%	.667	.593
RB	32	51
TO	18	21
STL	15	8

Photo Credit: UA Athletics/Jake Arthur

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Jeremy Pruitt's Effect On UA Football 2018 Recruiting
As Head Coach Of The Tennessee Volunteers

A Man With Two Hats
Jeremy Pruitt
Bing.com photo

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - To say University of Alabama football's defensive coordinator and Tennessee Volunteer's head coach Jeremy Pruitt isn't dedicated to both jobs would be incorrect, but to say he is still completely dedicated to UA would be an outright lie. Case in point, 2018 recruiting.

While Coach Pruitt wants to be a part of another national championship, he wants even more now to make sure he hits the ground running in his first head coaching gig. And with Alabama's hated rival, the UT Vols.

Alabama's 2018 recruiting class could very well take a hit. Oh, we're not talking about a huge hit, but losing any of this recruiting class would hurt. The Crimson Tide broke into top 10 recruiting for the 2018 class about a week ago, and losing a player or three could affect that climb, and actually hurt the class Bama really needs to replace departing players over the next two or three seasons.

Pruitt is indeed visiting and talking with recruits committed to the Tide for 2018. He is a great recruiter. But so is Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Saban and the rest of the staff are working toward new commitments, but also having to make sure the current commits remain in the fold. Especially those that had been recruited by Pruitt.

Some good news on two such commits Pruitt was responsible for securing. Alabama's longest-tenured commit, linebacker Jordan Davis out of Memphis, Tennessee, says he is still a solid Bama commitment. He tweeted after talking with Pruitt that he was still 1,000,000 committed to the Tide. In fact, Davis still plans to sign during the early signing period and be an early enrollee at The Capstone in January.

The other Alabama commit of which I speak is linebacker Quay Walker. According to SEC Country, Walker is still committed to UA following a visit from defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley this past week. At one time Walker had made a statement that if Pruitt left, although at that time it was thought for the Mississippi State head coaching job, then he would de-commit from the Tide.

Let's throw out one more name. Jalyn Armour-Davis. He is a 4-star cornerback commit that was heavily recruited, by a then-solid Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. So far, Armour-Davis says he is still a solid Bama commit.

Pruitt has to do his job. He is now on the payroll at two universities in the Southeastern Conference. Don't expect his huge ties with Alabama to keep him from doing the job that he needs to do in his new head coaching position.

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Alabama Softball Picks Up New Signee

Kloyee Anderson Signs National Letter Of Intent

Kloyee Anderson

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – University of Alabama softball picked up its first player from the state of North Carolina this weekend when Kloyee Anderson signed her national letter of intent and is set to join the Crimson Tide starting in the 2019 season.

Alabama Crimson Tide softball head coach Patrick Murphy said, "Kloyee is a very athletic utility player who will be our first student-athlete from North Carolina. She plays second base and outfield and was also an outstanding volleyball player in high school. She is a left-handed hitter with a lot of speed."

Anderson was an outstanding player during her three years at Enka High School, earning All-Conference and All-State honors in each of the previous three seasons. She led the team to back-to-back state titles in 2015-16 including an undefeated 28-0 her freshman season. She is a two-time conference player of the year honoree and was named the school's female athlete of the year for 2016-17. She is also an accomplished volleyball player, earning 1,000 career kills and digs and earning conference player of the year honors in 2017.

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Alabama Men's Basketball Falls For 3rd Time This Season

Photo Credit: UA Athletics/Robert Sutton

TUCSON, Arizona – The University of Alabama men's basketball team suffered its third loss in the young season, falling to the Arizona Wildcats 88-82 this weekend McKale Center in Tucson. It was freshman Collin Sexton leading the Tide's offensive machine, pumping in 30 points while shooting an impressive 15-of-16 from the free throw line.

Overall, the Crimson Tide (7-3) shot a season-best 85.7 percent (24-of-28) from the line. Bama was able to hit on 38.7 percent (24-of-62) from the field and 41.7 percent (10-of-24) from beyond the arc. The Wildcats (7-3) finished with a big advantage on the boards, 43-30, including a 12-2 lead in second chance points.

Three other players scored in double figures besides Sexton. Junior Donta Hall scored his second consecutive double-double and his third of the year, pumping in 15 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Freshman John Petty contributed 13 points, while sophomore Dazon Ingram added another 10 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists without a turnover.

Alabama men's head basketball coach Avery Johnson said, "Overall, I thought our effort was good. We showed effort and toughness pretty much throughout the game and I'm proud of our team from that standpoint. We didn't turn the ball over. We're coming off of a game where we had 24 turnovers and we did a much better job of taking care of the ball in a hostile environment. We have to rebound the ball better. When you shoot 38 percent from the field, you have to get more offensive rebounds."

The Crimson Tide will now have a 10-day break between games for final exams, then return to action on Tuesday, December 19th for the second annual Rocket City Classic. Bama will face the Mercer Bears in Huntsville, Alabama in its opening game in the Classic. Game time is set for 8 p.m. CT and will be televised on the  SEC Network.

Tickets are going quickly for the Rocket City Classic, which looks to sell out for a second straight year. Fans can be purchase tickets for this year's event on Ticketmaster.com, or by contacting the Von Braun Center.

Alabama Gymnastics Holds Crimson & White Preview; Cristobal Is New Oregon Head Coach; Niedermeyer To Leave With Pruitt To Vols; Bama Football 10th In 2018 Recruiting

Alabama Gymnastics Holds Successful
Crimson & White Preview On Friday Evening

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – It was a spectacular night, though a snowy one in Tuscaloosa, for the University of Alabama gymnastics program. Approximately 500 fans came out to Coleman Coliseum on Friday night to take part in Alabama gymnastics' Crimson & White Preview.

Every single one of the Tide's 15 member-squad part in last night's event that RollTide.com termed as "part exhibition, part pep rally and part Gymnastics 101." Crimson Tide gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth, who has led the Bama belles for four seasons now, addressed the crowd, and the entire group of gymnasts put on a great show for the crowd. The fans were able to get a glimpse at this year's gymnastic's routines, and especially the floor exercise, with every routine being new this season.

Alabama will open the 2018 season on January 5th at Michigan before returning to Tuscaloosa for a January 12th event against Southeastern Conference rival Georgia.

*All gymnastics photos courtesy UA Athletics

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Former Alabama Offensive Line Coach Mario Cristobal
Named New Oregon Ducks Head Coach

Former Alabama offensive line coach Mario Cristobal
Photo Credit: Associated Press/Chris Pietsch

Former University of Alabama Crimson Tide football offensive line coach Mario Cristobal will be taking the reigns of the Oregon Ducks as its new head coach. Cristobal replaces Willie Taggart as the head man after Taggart's departure for Florida State. Cristobal had been named interim head coach having served as the Duck's co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

The 47-year old returns to the ranks of head football coaches for the first time since 2012 when he led the FIU football program. Cristobal led FIU to a 27-47 record during his six-year tenure. He joined the Alabama football staff under head coach Nick Saban as offensive line coach in 2013, then headed to Oregon for the 2016 season.

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Niedermeyer To Leave Alabama Football,

Will Be Part Of Jeremy Pruitt's Tennessee Staff

Photo taken from Bing.com

The poaching has begun.

University of Alabama football defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, also know as the new head coach for the Tennessee Volunteers, has picked up at least one member of the current Crimson Tide staff. Brian Niedermeyer, Alabama assistant director of personnel operations, will be leaving Bama to go with Pruitt when he heads to Knoxville, Tennessee.

Niedermeyer first joined the Alabama staff as a graduate assistant after positions at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Miami and East Texas Baptist.

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Bama Football 10th In 2018 Recruiting

According To 247Sports

Here is a look at the Top 10 recruiting schools for the 2018 signing class according to 247Sports:

  1 Ohio State

  2 Texas

  3 Miami

  4 Georgia

  5 Penn State

  6 Oklahoma

  7 Notre Dame

  8 Auburn

  9 Oregon

10 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE