Tide Softball Wins 3-1; J.C. Hampton Looking At Tide Basketball; Bama Baseball Hosts Double-Header Today; Ragland Drafted 41st By Buffalo; Derrick Henry Is A Titan; A'Shawn Robinson To Play For Detroit; Jarran Reed Is A Seahawk; Cyrus Jones Picked By Patriots; Kenyan Drake Goes To Dolphins

Tide Softball Defeats Gamecocks 3-1 Last Night

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

It was a close one Friday night for Alabama Crimson Tide softball. But a close one is just fine when it's a win. Bama's belles defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 3-1 last night at Beckham Field in Columbia, South Carolina to improve their record to 42-9 overall, 13-6 SEC while dropping S.C. to 33-17, 5-14.

The Tide's Haylie McCleney went 1 for 2 with a pair of walks, passing Georgia’s Alisa Goler (2008-11) for the all-time SEC record with 185 career walks. Chandler Dare went 3 for 4 batting behind McCleney with Marisa Runyon, Reagan Dykes and Sydney Booker driving in the three runs for Bama. Demi Turner came in as a pinch-runner after having been absent from the lineup since her elbow injury against LSU on March 12th. She scored a run for the Tide in the sixth inning. 

It was the 20th win of the season for Bama starter Sydney Littlejohn (20-4). She held South Carolina to just one run over 4.2 innings. Alexis Osorio earned her sixth save in relief following Littlejohn with 2.1 innings of shutout ball. Jessica Elliott suffered the loss for the Gamecocks.

Today's game is set for 4 p.m. CT and can be seen live on the SEC Network.

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Men's Basketball

J. C. Hampton Considering Crimson Tide Basketball

J. C. Hampton
Photo Credit: Swoophoops.com

According to ESPN, the leading scorer on Lipscomb's basketball team last season, J. C. Hampton, is considering Avery Johnson and the University of Alabama basketball team for his final year of eligibility. Hampton recently announced he was foregoing his final year of eligibility with Lipscomb when he graduates this summer. And because he is graduating, he will be immediately eligible to play for whomever he selects.

The 6' 0" guard out of Gainsville, Georgia averaged 15.9 points per game. Hampton started in 90 of his last 92 games with the Bisons.

"We're disappointed that J.C. won't finish his career at Lipscomb," said Lipscomb head coach Casey Alexander. "But we're very proud that he's graduating this summer. We wish him the best wherever he ends up."

When talking with ESPN, Hampton said that he is considering playing his final year at Alabama, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss or East Carolina.

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Friday Baseball Cancelled Due To Bad Weather

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Tide Hosts Mississippi State In Double-Header Today

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

Last night's baseball game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the third-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs was moved to today due to severe weather. The two will play a double-header, with game one scheduled for 1 p.m. CT and the second to begin 30 to 45 minutes following the completion of game one.

UA has announced that tickets for Saturday’s game will be good for admittance to both games. The ticket for Friday’s contest is good for the first game of the doubleheader, with fans allowed to remain in the stadium and at their seat for game two if the seat is open. If the seat is occupied by a person purchasing admittance to the second game, then fans from game one are asked to move to general admission seating.

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Ragland Drafted 41st By The Buffalo Bills Last Night

Photo Credit: AL.com

He had been heavily considered as the No. 19 pick for the Buffalo Bills, but they ultimately made a different selection. But then, the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League worked the phones, made some trades and still wound up with linebacker Reggie Ragland from the University of Alabama as the 41st selection.

The Madison, Alabama native led the Crimson Tide with 102 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 7 pass break ups and two forced fumbles during his senior season. Coming back for his senior season definitely allowed Ragland to improve his overall skills. He dropped his missed tackles down to three his senior season as opposed to ten as a junior.

Of Ragland, NFL.com says, "Thumping inside linebacker with throwback size and tone-setting mentality."

 Bills General Manager Doug Whaley says he believes that though Ragland is considered a heavier, run-stopping linebacker, he believes that Ragland has the potential to stay on the field on third downs to contribute in pass coverage. "He's athletic. Don't let the size fool you." Whaley also said that Ragland will step in day one as the Bills' weak side linebacker.

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Derrick Henry Is Now A Tennessee Titan

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Selected No. 45 Overall In NFL Draft Last Night

Photo Credit: Rivals.com

Former University of Alabama running back and 2015 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry will now make a short move up the road. Henry was selected as the No. 45 overall pick in the 2nd Round of the 2016 NFL Draft last night.

In his lone season as the starting running back at the University of Alabama, Henry amassed 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns. During his sophomore year the young man picked up 990 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, and going back to his freshman season add 382 yards and three touchdowns to his totals. So for his 3-season career at the Capstone Henry amassed 3,245 yards on 603 carries. He then went on to impress the NFL scouting combine by running a 4.54-second 40-yard dash as well as a 37-inch vertical leap.

 Whereas his 6'3", 247-pound frame provides brute force, the NFL has its doubts about Henry's quickness to compliment his downhill running style. There was also some concern as to his long-term viability having had to carry the ball so many times for the Crimson Tide this past season. NFL gurus say there are only so many plays in the career of a running back.

Henry made a believer out of Alabama fans and opposing defenses in college. He's no stranger to a challenge.

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A'Shawn Robinson Goes To Detroit Lions As 46th NFL Pick

Photo Credit: Nam Y Huh/AP

Former Alabama defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson is now a Detroit Lion. The Lions selected Robinson as the No. 46 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The 6' 4", 307-pound Robinson played three years for Alabama head coach Nick Saban. In his career Robinson produced a total of 133 tackles, with 49 of those being solo tackles. He successfully man-handled and sacked quarterbacks nine times for 53 lost yards, had five pass deflections and forced one fumble which he himself recovered.

Robinson was named a 2015 Consensus All-American, and was one of the three finalists for the 2015 Outland Trophy (given annually to the nation's top interior lineman whether offense or defense.)

Concerning Robinsion, NFL.com complimented his build as a defensive lineman saying that he is..."well proportioned with powerful tree trunk legs makes it tough to move him off the spot." They also praised his tackling and leadership abilities.

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Jarran Reed Is 49th NFL Draft Selection

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Heading To Seattle To Play For Seahawks

Photo Credit: Charles Rex Arbogast, AP

In a rare move, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider traded up seven spots to draft former Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed at No. 49 last night in the NFL Draft. A deal with Chicago allowed the Seahawks to move up from the No. 56 slot and very probably miss out on Reed. The Seahawks also gave up a fourth-round pick in order to make the move. Seattle has very sparingly cut these kind of deals under Schneider and Pete Carroll.

Reed was fourth in tackles with the Alabama Crimson Tide last season with a total of 56. In his 15-game start last season he also produced 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He was named Second Team All-SEC last season.

According to Seattlepi.com, Reed immediately endeared himself to Seattle by walking out on the stage at the NFL draft with a bag of candy in his hands. "I was chewing on the Skittles waiting when I got the call," Reed said. "I was like, 'Man, Marshawn loves Skittles.' I thought it would be kind of funny."

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Cyrus Jones Is 60th Overall NFL Pick By Patriots

Photo Credit: TheSunChronicle.com

Though not selected until the No. 60 pick in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, former Alabama cornerback Cyrus Jones was the first pick by the New England Patriots of the National Football League last night.

Jones was orginally recruited as a wide receiver by Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. But the defensive genius that Saban is, he saw the great potential of Jones to play on the defensive side of the ball. He was also one of the best punt returners in the country during his senior season with the Tide, coming up just one shy of an NCAA record for punt returns for touchdowns in a single season. He recorded a total of four last year.

NFL.com said that Jones was "Press corner with good build and strong lower half, plus play strength. Confident and tough. Able to reroute and maintain positioning on receivers."

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Kenyan Drake To Dolphins As No. 73 Overall NFL Pick

Photo Credit: proxy.espn.go.com

Former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake is now a Miami Dolphin. Drake was selected last night by the Dolphins in the third round as the No. 73 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Though hampered by injuries while at the Capstone, Drake was a fan favorite when he was healthy displaying his electrifying speed and big-play capabilities. Though he never carried the ball more than 92 times in a single season while at Alabama, he still averaged 6.4 yards per carry on 233 total carries for the Crimson Tide. Hel also averaged 12.4 yards a catch on 46 receptions. Bama fans enjoyed him as a kick returner, with 505 total yards on 19 returns in 2015, a whopping 26.6 yards per return. One of those kickoff returns went for a 95-yard touchdown against the Clemson Tigers in the national chamionship game.

It's Official: Bo Davis Resigns From Bama Football; Kelly Taken 1st Round NFL Draft; Haylie McCleney Named SEC Scholar-Athlete Of The Year; Knight & Stennis Sign with Tide Women's Basketball; Shelton Semifinalist For Nicklaus Award; Bama Male Tennis Duo Named All-SEC 2nd Team; NCAA Board Of Directors Reverses Ban On Satellite Camps; SEC Responds To NCAA Satellite Camp Reversal

It's Official: Bo Davis Resigns As Defensive Line Coach

Former Alabama Defensive Line Coach Bo Davis

Photo Credit: 247Sports.com

University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban has announced the resignation of Crimson Tide defensive line coach Bo Davis. The announcement came this morning.

In a statement issued earlier today, without giving a specific reason for the resignation, Saban said, "Bo Davis has submitted his letter of resignation. We appreciate all the contributions he made to the program and wish him and his family the very best in the future."

Davis has been with Saban for quite a few years. He was the strength and conditioning coach at LSU under Saban, an assistant defensive line and assistant strength and conditioning coach with him while with the Miami Dolphins organization in the National Football League in 2006, and then joined Saban with the Crimson Tide as defensive line coach from 2007-10 when he took a job with the Texas Longhorns. He later returned to work for Saban as defensive line coach.

Bo Davis

Photo Credit: WATE.com

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Former Tide Center Ryan Kelly Taken 1st Round NFL Draft

Photo Credit: NYTimes.com

Former Crimson Tide center Ryan Kelly was the first Alabama player taken in the NFL draft. In face, he was the only player from Tuscaloosa taken in the first round.

Kelly was selected as the No. 18 overall pick in the draft last night. The Indianapolis Colts selected the big man, making him just the 15th center to be chosen in the first round since 1983.

The 6' 4", 310-pound West Chester, Ohio native was a three-year starter for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Kelly was a consensus first-team All-American last season and won the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the nation's top center.

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Haylie McCleney Named SEC Scholar-Athlete Of The Year

Haylie McCleney

Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete Of The Year

Graphic/Photo Credit: RollTide.com

She is truly a remarkable young lady.

University of Alabama star softball player Haylie McCleney has been named the 2015-16 Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey made the announcement yesterday. She, and the men's winner, Mississippi golfer Forrest Gamble, were chosen by a committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives from SEC schools and will receive a $15,000 post-graduate scholarship.

"This is fitting recognition of the extraordinary career that Haylie McCleney has fashioned here at The University of Alabama," said University of Alabama Director of Athletics Bill Battle. "Haylie continues to be an amazing example of what can be accomplished when you work tirelessly to be your best in all aspects of life."

Alabama's career leader in batting average and on-base percentage, McCleney, a senior, is a three-time All-American and a two-time first-team Academic All-American.


"Forrest and Haylie are the type of student-athletes who make a commitment to excellence in the classroom and in competition that are representative of the high standards of the Southeastern Conference," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. "Their accomplishments and their character make them ideal choices for the H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award."

McCleney is the first-ever Alabama softball player and just the second softball player in SEC history to be named one of the league's Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

She is now the 10th Alabama athlete to be named one of the SEC's Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

With McCleney's win, Alabama and Georgia are now tied for the most honors in the award's 31-year history with 10. The Crimson Tide has earned seven honors since 2000, the most in the Southeastern Conference during that period of time.

"Our tradition of success when it comes to this honor is a clear sign that at Alabama, our commitment to excellence in the classroom is long-standing and ongoing," Battle said.

McCleney now joins Julie Estin (1987, gymnastics), Jeff Laubenthal (1992, baseball), Meredith Willard (1997, gymnastics), Kristin Sterner (2003, gymnastics), Lauren Imwalle (2004, soccer), Emeel Salem (2007, baseball), Joseph Sykora (2008, golf), Barrett Jones (2013, football) and Cory Whitsett (2014, golf) among the Tide's SEC Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

McCleney is a two-time First Team Academic All-American (2014-15), a 2016 Senior CLASS Award finalist and the 2015 Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for Division I Softball. She is a two-time member of the SEC Honor Roll (2014-15).

As a pitcher for the Crimson Tide, McCleney is a three-time All-American (2013-15) and four-time finalist for USA Softball Player of the Year (2013-16) while also earning All-SEC honors three years consecutive years. She is just the second player in program history to be named First Team as both an All-American and Academic All-American in the same season.

McCleney is the career leader at Alabama in walks, batting average and on-base percentage. She also ranks in the top 10 in slugging percentage, hits, runs, triples, stolen bases and stolen base percentage, as well as possessing three of the top 10 single-season batting averages and on-base percentages in program history. In 2015 she set a single-season record at Alabama with a .588 on-base percentage.

 Haylie McCleney

Alabama Softball

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Knight & Stennis Sign With Bama Women's Basketball

Tchenevia "Cocoa" Knight & LaKyesha Stennis

Graphics/Photo Credit: RollTide.com

The University of Alabama women's basketball team has picked up a pair of junior college All-Americans to add to the 2016 recruiting class. Tcheneavia "Coco" Knight and LaKyesha Stennis have both signed national letters of intent to play for the Crimson Tide, head women's basketball coach Kristy Curry announced yesterday. 

Curry commented, "We are excited to add Coco and LaKyesha to our 2016 class. Both will provide depth and experience to the perimeter and will provide quality minutes for our team to be successful. These young ladies have had success at their previous institutions, and we are looking for that to continue at a high level."

Knight was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-America Second Team after leading the Buccaneers to a third place finish at the national championship and the District N championship. She averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 36 games. She also finished the season with a total of 98, ranking 11th nationally in that category.

She started in all but the first five games last season and scored in double figures 29 times. The 5-7 guard and native of Bay Minette, Alabama recorded 20 or more points on seven occasions. Her all-time high was 26 points against Chipola back in November. Knight also had four double-doubles, two of which came in the tournament.

Knight played in 32 games and  averaged 9.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists as a freshman. She shot better than 43 percent for her career.

Curry continued, "We are excited to keep Coco at home. She is a dynamic guard that can create her own shot and has a great mid-range game and explosiveness when getting to the rim. She will be able to impact the game defensively with her athleticism. Coco played for Alabama alum Madonna Thompson, so she will be prepared physically and mentally for the SEC."

A 5-9 guard for two years at Southwest Tennessee Community College, Stennis was a third team all-American in 2016 and an honorable mention all-American in 2015. She started all 29 games last season, averaging 20.3 points, which was 10th in the nation, and averaged 4.5 rebounds per game. Stennis scored double figures in all but two games and had 20 or more points 16 times. Her season-best was 39 points, pumping in 11-of-19 shots from the floor and 10-of-11 from the free throw line back in October.

Stennis led the STCC Saluqis in nearly every statistical category as a freshman with 16.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game. She recorded double figures in 21 of 26 games throughout the 2014-15 season. Seven of those reached 20 or more points. In addition to being named an honorable mention all-American in 2015, Stennis was also voted first team all-TCCAA.

Concerning Stennis, Curry said, "LaKyesha is a long, athletic guard that will provide a sharp shooter on the perimeter for us. She will be able to keep defenses honest and aware of where she is. She is also a great defender and rebounder at her position. She is coachable and humble and truly loves the game."

Curry and the Crimson Tide have now signed three during the spring signing period. In addition to Knight and Stennis, three-time Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week DaiJia Ruffin is transferring to the Capstone. She comes from UT Martin and signed on March 28th.

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Robby Shelton Semifinalist For Nicklaus Award

Robbie Shelton

Alabama Men's Golf

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

A field of 30 semifinalists has been named for the 2016 Division I Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award, and Alabama men's golfer Robby Shelton is one of those. The Golf Coaches Association of America made the announcement yesterday.

The finalists will be trimmed down on May 25th, with the Nicklaus Award recipients being announced on June 2nd during the final round of the Memorial Tournament. The award is given to five individuals, all of whom will be invited to compete at the Barbasol Shootout for a chance to qualify at the Barbasol Championship, held July 14-17 in Opelika, Alabama.

Shelton is the No. 9 in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index. He has won three individual titles this season alone, and now holds the school record of seven career tournament victories.

Shelton leads the Crimson Tide with a 70.44 per round stroke average this season, and has captured medalist honors at the DICK’s Collegiate Challenge Cup, Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate and Puerto Rico Classic. Shelton, a native of Wilmer, Alabama, finished among the top 20 in eight of the nine tournaments he has played in this season and now has 29 top-20 results in 31 career tournaments played at Alabama.

Earlier this season, Shelton was named a Ben Hogan Award Semifinalist for the third consecutive year. If he wins, Shelton will be only the second Crimson Tide men’s golfer to win the Nicklaus Award. He would join former Bama golfer and current PGA player Justin Thomas who won the honor in 2012.

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Men's Tennis

Lovett & Osama Named All-SEC Second Team

Two members of the Alabama tennis team have earned a spot on the All-Southeastern Conference Second Team. Crimson Tide sophomore Korey Lovett and freshman Mazen Osama both were named yesterday by the league office. Osama was also named to the All-Freshman Team.

Lovett and Osama are currently ranked the No. 5 doubles pair in the nation. The two went undefeated in their last 11 regular season matches while beating eight nationally-ranked opponents.

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NCAA Board Of Directors Reverses Ban On Satellite Camps

The ban didn't stay in effect long. 

The NCAA Board of Directors yesterday rescinded the ban on satellite camps.

"The Board of Directors is interested in a holistic review of the football recruiting environment, and camps are a piece of that puzzle," Board of Directors chair Harris Pastides, president of the University of South Carolina, said in a release. "We share the Council's interest in improving the camp environment, and we support the Council's efforts to create a model that emphasizes the scholastic environment as an appropriate place for recruiting future student-athletes."

It was just earlier this month that the NCAA stated Football Bowl Subdivision schools must "conduct camps and clinics at their school's facilities or at facilities regularly used for practice or competition."
Further, coaches and staff members "may be employed only at their school's camps or clinics." That now appears to have changed with yesterday's ruling, should open the door to coaches, such as Michigan's Jim Harbaugh and Penn State's James Franklin, to coach at camps across the country.
The Southeastern Conference has been a strong opponent of satellite camps and, in fact, has a ban on being a part of such camps, but that ban expires on May 29th. That means SEC schools could start holding satellite camps this summer.

Additionally the board members also directed the Council to conduct a broad assessment of the FBS recruiting environment.

Both sides of the issue have made valid points. Supporters of the camps contend the rule would keep coaches on campus with current student-athletes and steer recruiting toward the scholastic environment. Detractors believe the camps provide opportunities for previously un-recruited student-athletes to be noticed by coaches and possibly receive scholarships.

As long as any camp follows Division I camps and clinic rules, football coaches may be employed at those camps.

The board has asked the Council to consider the entire recruiting model, including potential modifications to camps and clinics participation.

Council chair Jim Phillips, the Athletic Director at Northwestern, issued a press release stating, "It's clear that the membership has differing views on this subject, and the Council appreciates the Board's insights into this important issue. This review will provide an opportunity to identify the most effective ways prospective student-athletes can have their academic and athletic credentials evaluated by schools across the country."

According to the release, "The new camps and clinics rule was adopted earlier this month by the members of the Division I Council who represent FBS conferences. With weighted voting (two votes each for the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern conferences and one vote for Conference-USA, the  American Athletic, Mid-American, Mountain West and Sun Belt conferences), the final tally was 10-5."

The board also wants initial recommendations for improving the football recruiting environment from the Council by September 1st, the deadline for legislative concepts to be submitted for the 2016-17 cycle.

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SEC Responds To NCAA Satellite Camp Reversal

Greg Sankey

SEC Commissoner

"Disappointed" in the NCAA's decision to overturn a ban on satellite camps is the word from Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey yesterday. He then reiterated that SEC schools will be able to participate in them next month.

Just yesterday the NCAA Division I Board of Directors rescinded the NCAA Division 1 Council's decision on April 8th to immediately ban all satellite camps. The SEC had been one of the biggest proponents of the move to ban satellite camps.

In his statement, Sankey said, "While we are disappointed with the NCAA governance process result, we respect the Board of Directors' decision and are confident SEC football programs will continue to be highly effective in their recruiting efforts.

"We continue to believe football recruiting is primarily an activity best-focused in high schools during the established recruiting calendar, which has provided opportunities for football prospective student-athletes from all across the country to obtain broad national access and exposure but with appropriate guidance from high school coaches, teachers and advisors that focuses on both their academic and athletic opportunities as they decide where they will play college football."

The current SEC ban on satellite camps will expire on May 29th. Several SEC coaches have stated they would participate in such camps once the SEC ban expires.

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Defensive Line Coach Bo Davis Out At Alabama

Photo Credit: larrybrownsports.com

Alabama defensive line coach Bo Davis is out.

According to Aaron Suttles of The Tuscaloosa News, Davis is expected to either resign or be fired from his job. The reason? Possible recruiting violations while with the Crimson Tide.

An internal investigation is reportedly underway. The NCAA has also already begun inquiries into the situation. There is no indication of the severity of the violations, the length of time the infractions have been occurring, nor the possible penalties that could be forthcoming.

Davis started with the Crimson Tide in 2007 as a defensive line coach before leaving for Texas in 2010. He returned to Tuscaloosa in 2014 to help lead the defense once again.

Davis' contract with the University of Alabama was set through 2017.

Big Tennis Honors For Daniell & Routliffe; Baseball Hosts No. 3 Mississippi State; Former Bama Center Ryan Kelly Honored; Kessens Transfers To FIU; QB Tagovailoa Making Choice Soon; Rowing Adds 5 During Spring Signing Period

Alabama Women's Tennis

Andie Daniell Named SEC Freshman Of The Year

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Erin Routliffe Is First Team All-SEC

Andie Daniell & Erin Routiffe Honored

Graphic/Photo Credit: RollTide.com

A pair of Alabama women's tennis who are no strangers to accolades have been honored once again. The Crimson Tide's Andie Daniell has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year for women’s tennis, while junior Erin Routliffe, the league’s 2014 Co-Freshman of the Year, made her third consecutive appearance on the first team. The SEC office made the announcement on Wednesday. Daniell also earned Second Team All-SEC and All-Freshman Team honors.

Daniell entered the fall ranked No. 7 in the Oracle/ITA Women’s National Newcomer/Freshman rankings, and played at No. 1 and No. 2 singles throughout the dual match season. She entered into the national singles rankings in January, reaching a high of No. 31 in March. Daniell is also ranked in doubles with Routliffe, with the pair reaching a high of No. 20.

Daniell leads the team with 20 singles wins throughout her freshman campaign. Nine of those wins have come against nationally-ranked opponents. Daniell was instrumental in sending Alabama to its fourth consecutive ITA National Team Indoor Championship as she went 2-0 in singles. In addition, she advanced to the quarterfinals of the ITA Southern Region Championships in singles and won the doubles championship with Routliffe.

Alabama head women's tennis coach Jenny Mainz said, "Andie is deserving of this distinguished recognition as she has battled at the top of our lineup as a true freshman. Andie’s drive to improve and her sheer determination really sets her apart. Andie has immediately impacted our program with her work ethic, competitive nature and her championship mentality."

Erin Routliffe has been outstanding in the UA tennis program, and is the fourth member of the Crimson Tide to earn first team honors in three consecutive seasons, following in the footsteps of Marouschka van Dijk (1993-95), Alexa Guarachi (2011-13) and Mary Anne Macfarlane (2011-13). She has been ranked throughout the season nationally in singles and doubles, reaching highs of No. 21 and No. 20, respectively. Routliffe has played all season at No. 1 doubles and floated between No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Routliffe led the Crimson Tide with nine singles victories against Southeastern Conference opponents and 17 wins overall in 2016. She won eight consecutive singles matches between February 21st  to March 20th.

The two-time NCAA doubles champion won the national playoffs to earn a spot in the 2015 U.S. Open. The next month, she joined Daniell to win the ITA Southern Regional Doubles Championship.

Mainz said, "Erin has stepped up as a notable leader this spring. She’s raised the level of her game throughout the season and gave us a chance in every match. She embraced playing at the top in both singles and doubles and has done a commendable job of rallying the team."

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

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Bama Baseball Hosts 3rd-Ranked Mississippi State

Graphics/Photo Credit: RollTide.com

Alabama Crimson Tide baseball welcomes the third-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs to Tuscaloosa for a three-game series beginning tonight. Tonight's game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch and will air live on ESPNU. Tomorrow's contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, and the Saturday finale will begin at 3 p.m. CT.

Tonight's contest will mark the 398th meeting between the Tide and Bulldogs. Bama leads the series 212-182-3, with a 142-89-3 mark at home.

Alabama plans to pitch a trio of right-handers against State. Junior Geoffrey Bramblett will lead off tonight, sophomore Jake Walters is on the mound tomorrow, and junior Nick Eicholtz will close out the series on Saturday.

Mississippi State will counter with junior righty Dakota Hudson on the mound tonight, junior right-hander Austin Sexton leads off on Friday and no word yet as to who will handle pitching duties for the Saturday finale.

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Alabama Football

Former Alabama Center Ryan Kelly Honored

Former Crimson Tide Center Ryan Kelly

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

Former Alabama Crimson Tide center Ryan Kelly yesterday was named to the 2016 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society.

This is indeed a special group and a great honor. The NFF Hampshire Honor Society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their colligiate career. This is the society's 10th year, and a total of 875 players from 278 schools qualified for membership, setting a new record for the number of schools represented in the history of the program, which began in 2007.

Kelly earned his undergraduate degree in 2014 and finished his masters degree in December of 2015 in marketing. The West Chester, Ohio, native was named to the Southeastern Conference Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2015. He was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll three times, the SEC Freshman Honor Roll and the Dean’s list in both semesters of 2013. Kelly finished with a 3.75 grade point average in graduate school after completing his undergrad coursework with a 3.298 cumulative GPA.

Not only a scholar-athlete, Kelly was also regularly visiting local elementary schools, hospitals and Habitat for Humanity builds, found it important to give back to others. He also had a prominent role in the cleanup efforts immediately following the April 27, 2011, tornado that devastated Tuscaloosa.

Kelly was never on the short side of on-field honors. He received the 2015 Rimington Trophy – given annually to the nation’s top center, the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy and consensus All-America honors as a senior.

NFF President and CEO Steve Hatchell said, "The number of colleges and universities who embrace the Hampshire Honor Society continues to increase each year. Over the past decade, it has become a powerful vehicle for schools to recognize their college football players who have distinguished themselves both academically and athletically, and we congratulate the schools and each of these young men for their commitment to excellence."

The NFF Hampshire Honor Society capitalizes on the NFF’s National Scholar-Athlete program by greatly expanding the number of scholar-athletes the NFF can recognize each year. The program further strengthens the organization’s leadership role in encouraging academic performance by the student-athletes who play football at the 775 colleges and universities with football programs nationwide. The initiative has honored 6,627 student-athletes since its inception, and the program has experienced growth every year in either members or school participation since its launch in 2007.

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Alabama Men's Basketball

Former Tide Forward Michael Kessens To FIU

Former Bama Basketball's Michael Kessens

Photo Credit: AP.org

The Alabama basketball team lost two players via transfer at the close of the most recent basketball season. Guard Justin Coleman recently transferred to Samford, and yesterday forward Michael Kessens announced via Twitter that he is going to FIU. 

Kessens' tweet read:

  

Decided to attend FIU next year! Thanks everybody for their support during this process! pic.twitter.com/dEtI4pFNHk

— Michael Kessens (@MikeDoubleK) April 27, 2016

Kessens is scheduled to graduate from UA in May, and will be eligible to play immediately as a graduate transfer. Prior to coming to Alabama in 2013, the 6-foot-9, 230-pound Kessens began his college career at Longwood.

Kessens was used extensively the past two seasons, starting 31 games the last two seasons, including 21 as a redshirt junior last year. Last season the young man averaged 3.7 points and 3.5 rebounds while playing 16.6 minutes per game.

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Quarterback Prospect Tua Tagovailoa Making Decision Soon

Alabama QB prospect Tua Tagovailoa

Photo Credit: 247Sports

Just recently 6-foot-1, 210-pound Tua Tagovailoa made a trip to visit the University of Alabama with his father. Of course, it was not just Alabama, but the Capstone got his attention.

Tagovailoa recently said that Alabama, Ole Miss Texas A&M, USC, UCLA and Hawaii are his top six schools with whom he is considering playing college football.

He is the No. 60 overall prospect for the class of 2017 according to 247Sports composite rankings. Tagovailoa is also the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the class. 

The announcement of the school of choice for Tagovailoa is scheduled for approximately 11 p.m. CT, 6 p.m. local time for the young man.  Currently it is believed that the Crimson Tide is in the lead for the young man's services. 

Tagovailoa passed for 2,583 yards, 33 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also rushed for 576 yards as a junior this past season.

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Alabama Rowing Adds 5 During Spring Signing

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

Five rowers have been added to the Alabama Rowing team during the spring signing period and will be joining the Crimson Tide for the 2016-17 season. This brings a total of 12 added to the squad including the seven signed back in the fall. The program is set to welcome "one of the most well-rounded classes" in the history of Alabama Rowing.

Alabama Rowing head coach Larry Davis said, "This signing group helps round out and balance out one of our strongest classes we’ve ever signed. The athletes we signed in the fall have already showed great improvement since we signed them and we hope that this group shows similar progress so that when they arrive in the fall, they will have an immediate impact on our competitive ability. It is the strongest overall group that we’ve had in program history. We are excited to see what they can do to help us move forward as a team."

Those just signed in the spring signing class includes Elle Anderson (Winter Park, Florida), Hunter James (Cary, North Carolina), Elaine Schutte (Cincinnati, Ohio), Katie Toth (Providence, Rhode Island) and Sophia Yurosek (Clyde Hill, Washington).

These five will join the seven signed from the fall. Those seven are: Gabriella Crawford (Milton Keynes, UK), Sydney Boles (Maryville, Tennessee), Peyton Cowell (San Diego, California), Kylie Diffley (New Berlin, Wisconsin), Sarah Giuliani (Brightwaters, New York), Arielle Schafer (Egg Harbor, New Jersey) and Ariana Sweany (Vacaville, California). 

Softball Ranked 4th Nationally; Tide Baseball Loses To Samford; Mahalia Swink To Play Volleyball For Tide; ESPN Releases 2017 Football Class Rankings; Sporting News Preseason Top 25 Football Poll

Tide Softball Ranked 4th For 4th Consecutive Week

Crimson Tide softball ranked 4th nationally

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

For the fourth consecutive week the Alabama softball team is ranked No. 4 in the nation by both the USA Today/NFCA poll and the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll.

The Crimson Tide boasts a record of 41-9 overall and 12-6 in the Southeastern Conference. Alabama is now 13-8 against top-25 opponents, with nine of those victories coming against SEC foes.

No new additions or subtractions to the top 10 this week, with the top five remaining the same as the previous poll. 

Here are the nine Southeastern Conference schools and their rankings this week: Florida (1/1), Auburn (3/3), Alabama (4/4), Kentucky (11/11), LSU (12/14), Tennessee (13/12), Georgia (14/15), Missouri (16/16) and Texas A&M (18/22). 

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Tide Baseball Loses 3-2 To Samford

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

It was a heartbreaking 3-2 loss for the Alabama baseball team (24-18) at the hands of the Samford Bulldogs last night in Birmingham.

Head coach Mitch Gaspard said, "We missed some opportunities, particularly there in the ninth when we had two in scoring position and didn't add one more. I thought our freshmen threw the ball really well; we sent four of them out there and they all did a good job of keeping us in the game. We played good defense, too, but we just missed some opportunities and that was really the difference in the game (last night)."

Bama had the lead right up until a one-out, two-run home run in the ninth inning by the Samford Bulldogs doomed the Tide.

Daniel Cucjen was responsible for both of the Crimson Tide runs for the evening. He finished two-for-four with the homerun that gave Alabama the brief lead. Chance Vincent also recorded a pair of hits, going two-for-four himself with a double.

 Next up Alabama will host a three-game series with third-ranked Mississippi State at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Thursday night game airs on ESPNU and is slated for a 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch. Friday's game will be at 7 p.m. CT, and the finale is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.

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Mahalia Swink Signs NLI To Play Volleyball For Tide

Mahalia Swink signs her national letter of intent

Bakersfield, California native Mahalia Swink has signed her national letter of intent during the spring signing period to play volleyball for the University of Alabama. Swink will join the Crimson Tide for the 2016 season.

Alabama volleyball head coach Ed Allen is impressed with Swink and commented, "She is a very versatile six-rotation player who will provide some solid ball control on the right side. She will become a true ‘utility’ player as she develops during her time here. She hits a very heavy ball and can exploit poor blocking. She is a solid athlete with above average all-around skills."

Swink was the 2014 and 2015 Defensive MVP and two-time all-area selection at Independence High School in Bakersfield, California as well as a two-time First Team All SYL honoree. She led her team to the 2015 Central Section Championship and three other Central Section Semifinal appearances from 2012-14. Swink compiled 715 kills, 301 blocks, 664 digs, 102 aces and 103 assists during her four-year high school career.

She played club volleyball for Bakersfield Volleyball Club, leading them to a 2015 Junior National So Cal Championship and a 2014 Junior National Qualifier Far Western Championship. Swink was also a member of the 2015 18’s Silver Division Olympic National Championship team and the 2014 18s Division Junior Olympic National Championship team.

Welcome to the Capstone, Mahalia. Roll Tide!

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ESPN Releases 2017 Football Class Rankings
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Crimson Tide Comes Opens At No. 2

ESPN has just released their first 2017 football class rankings, with the Ohio State Buckeyes claiming the No. 1 spot with 13 verbal commits, followed by the Alabama Crimson Tide at second with 8 verbals.

Five schools from the Southeastern Conference comprise the top 15 schools in recruiting the 2017 class, according to ESPN. Alabama is the highest ranked at No. 2, followed by Georgia (4), Kentucky (11), LSU (12) and Texas A&M (14). 

Here are the top 15:

  1.  Ohio State --- 13 commits               

  2.  Alabama ---  8 commits                    

  3.  Oklahoma --- 12 commits

  4.  Georgia ---  8 commits

  5.  Miami --- 15 commits

  6.  Notre Dame --- 10 commits

  7.  Clemson ---  9 commits

  8.  Michigan --- 11 commits

  9.  Florida State ---  7 commits

10.  North Carolina ---  8 commits

11.  Kentucky --- 12 commits

12.  LSU ---  6 commits

13.  Texas ---  6 commits

14.  Texas A&M ---  7 commits

15.  Iowa --- 10 commits                

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Sporting News Preseason Top 25 Football Poll

2016 University of Alabama Football Schedule

Yes, it's pretty early to be releasing a top 25 football poll. After all, it's still quite a few months away until the opening kickoff. But, as many or even most of you are, I'm a football fanatic. Check that, an Alabama football fanatic. So I'll take some college football "news" any way I can get it. 

Bill Bender of The Sporting News released a top 25 preseason college football poll, placing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the number one spot. Bender says that the Tide "deserves No. 1 until someone -- anyone -- dethrones" them. 

Six teams from the Southeastern Conference made the list, including Alabama (1), Ole Miss (7), LSU (12), Tennessee (13), Georgia (20) and Arkansas (23). Alabama plays all of the schools in this list this upcoming season with the exception of Georgia. Predictions are that Alabama would either play Georgia or a second game with the Tennessee Volunteers in Atlanta this coming season for the SEC Championship. Many have a rematch between Alabama and Clemson for the National Championship.

Alabama will play the four listed above (for sure) along with a fifth in this preseason poll, the USC Trojans. The Crimson Tide and Trojans meet Saturday, September 3rd at AT&T Stadium to open the 2016 season.

Here is the preseason top 25 college football teams in America according to The Sporting News:

  1.  Alabama

  2.  Clemson

  3.  Oklahoma

  4.  Ohio State

  5.  Baylor

  6.  Florida State

  7.  Ole Miss

  8.  Michigan

  9.  Stanford

10.  Notre Dame

11.  Michigan State

12.  LSU

13.  Tennessee

14.  Houston

15.  USC

16.  Oklahoma State

17.  Iowa

18.  North Carolina

19.  Oregon

20.  Georgia 

21.  Washington

22.  Louisville

23.  Arkansas

24.  Texas

25.  TCU

Women's Golf Top Seed At NCAA Regional; Crimson Tide Baseball Faces Samford Tonight; Track & Field Teams Move Up In National Rankings; Rebels' Speaks Speaking From Where The Sun Don't Shine; 2017 Football Commits

Women's Golf Top Seed At NCAA Shoal Creek Regional

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

The number one women's golf team in the country, the University of Alabama, has been named the top seed at the 2016 NCAA Shoal Creek Regional at the Shoal Creek Club in Shoal Creek, Alabama. The announcement was made yesterday evening by the NCAA.

The NCAA Shoal Creek Regional has been scheduled for May 5-7 on the par-72, 6,470-yard course. This year's regional marks the 11th straight invitation to postseason competition for the Crimson Tide. Bama's first NCAA Championship came in 2012 at the Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn.

Alabama women's golf head coach Mic Potter said, "We weren't surprised where we wound up since we already knew we were hosting. It's a balanced field and the course is in fantastic condition. The greens are fast and firm and I think it's a course that's going to  separate the field the way it should. I think the best teams are going to advance and the best players are going to excel."

The Crimson Tide has advanced to the NCAA Championship for 10 consecutive years now. This 2016 selection makes this the 18th NCAA appearance for Alabama women's golf.

Those teams joining the Alabama Crimson Tide at the NCAA Shoal Creek Regional are No. 2 seed Northwestern, No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 4 California, No. 5 Iowa State, Florida State, Tennessee, Missouri, Purdue, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Clemson, Michigan, Middle Tennessee State, New Mexico State, Eastern Kentucky, Oakland (Michigan) and Alabama State.

The top-six finishers at the Shoal Creek Regional will advance to the NCAA Championship at the Eugene Country Club on May 20-25 in Eugene, Oregon, and join the teams that will advance from the Stanford (California), Bryan (Texas) and Baton Rouge (Louisiana) Regionals.

The Crimson Tide finished tied for fourth at the NCAA Raleigh Regional in Raleigh, North Carolina last season before posting its sixth consecutive top-15 finish at the NCAA Championships.

 Photo Credit: RollTide.com

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Crimson Tide Baseball To Face Samford Tonight

Graphics Credit: RollTide.com

The Alabama Crimson Tide men's baseball team makes a short road trip to Birmingham today to face Samford for the fourth consecutive away game. Bama and the Bulldogs will meet tonight at Joe Lee Griffin Field at 6 p.m. CT.

Tonight's contest will be the 102nd meeting in a series that dates back to 1894. Of course, going that far back the Samford Bulldogs technically didn't exist, as the school was then known as Howard College. The Tide owns the Bulldogs in the series 89-12, including a 17-5 record when playing in Birmingham.  The two teams met twice last season, with Bama winning both games, extending its winning streak to nine consecutive games.

Alabama will call on freshman right-hander Brock Love to start on the mound this evening. This will be his third start of the season, is currently 0-0 and has a 2.25 ERA (2 ER/8.0 IP) in his first two starts.

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Track & Field Teams Move Up In National Rankings

Photo Credit: RollTide.com

The U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Team Rankings have been released, and both the Alabama men's and women's team have moved up in this fourth week of national rankings. The men advance one spot to No. 8 this week, while the women advance three places into the No. 27 spot.

Leading the Alabama men this week is senior sprinter Ahmed Ali who is ranked in the top 15 in the both the 100 meters and 200 meters, as well as boasting the fastest wind-legal 200-meter time (20.16) recorded by a college runner this season. Ali's time is the fourth-fastest in the world.

For the women's team the name comes as no surprise. Junior two-time NCAA champion Quanesha Burks leads Bama with 34.77 points in the long jump. Her point total is number one in the country in that particular event.

The USTFCCCA National Team Computer Rankings are compiled by a mathematical formula based on national descending order lists. The purpose and methodology of the rankings is to create an index that showcases the teams that have the best potential of achieving the top spots in the national team race. Preseason marks were included through week three of the rankings and included results from the previous season.

Turning to the South Regional Index, this week the Alabama men are ranked third behind Florida and Georgia while the women are second behind Florida. The Southeastern Conference continues to dominate the boards by earning the No. 1 spots on the men’s and women’s conference Index Top 10 list totaling 1,859.50 points for the men and 1,976.45 points for the women.

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Speaks May Be Speaking From Where He Shouldn't

Sometimes players should just keep their mouths shut. 

Ole Miss sophomore defensive lineman Breeland Speaks has already begun poking at a hornet's nest, well before the start of the 2016 college football season. And he's poking at the defending national champions. 

Yesterday on the SEC Network speaks decided to speak of the "rivalry" that is Alabama-Ole Miss football. Though not using any stats in his bold declaration, the 6' 3", 313-pound defensive tackle said that the Rebels are "supposed to beat Alabama." Let that sink in.

"Supposed to beat Alabama."

Now, Speaks had a good season for Johnny Reb last season. He finished 2015 with 32 tackles, 5.5 of which were for a loss, one sack, two pass breakups and three quarterback hurries. But obviously he didn't finish the season with humility considering how Ole Miss fared the remainder of the season after managing to upset the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa last year.

Not to say that 10-3 is a bad record. But no SEC West Title, no SEC Title and no National Championship. Oh, that's right, Alabama won all three of those. But Ole Miss is "supposed to beat Alabama."

Admittedly, Alabama head coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide will be looking to avoid a third consecutive loss to the Rebels this season when Bama travels to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi on Saturday, September 17th. Though playing the game away to an SEC West foe is more difficult than at home, it will be even harder for the Rebels to tame the Tide a third straight year. Five mistakes cost the Crimson Tide last season's contest, falling to the Rebs 43-37.

Of course spring chat is always easy. Come the fall, backing it up won't be quite so easy as opening mouth to insert foot.

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2017 Football Commitments For Alabama Football

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team currently has 8 student-athletes who have committed to furthering their football careers at the Capstone. As new commits are announced the list will be updated and released. 

Here is the complete list of 2017 commitments to UA as of 4/26/16:

• Najee Harris, RB (6-1, 210), Antioch, Calififornia 
• Alex Leatherwood, OL (6-4, 300), Pensacola, Florida
• Chadarius Townsend, ATH, (6-0, 180), Tanner, Alabama*
• Xavier McKinney, DB (6-1, 170), Roswell, Georgia
• Brian Robinson, RB (6-2, 210), Tuscaloosa, Alabama*
• Aaron Sterling, DL (6-1, 270), Stone Mountain, Georgia
• Gary Johnson, LB (6-2, 225), Dodge City (Kan.) Community College
• VanDarius Cowan, LB (6-4, 217), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

*State of Alabama Recruits/Commitments