Your latest Crimson Tide news and notes.
Happy Monday, everyone. As we take the day to remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, here are a few Alabama sports notes for you.
As you know, softball wasn’t able to stay competitive at an elite Oklahoma squad. We’ll see if Patrick Murphy is able to put a roster together next season that is more on par with Alabama’s historical standard.
Freshman CB prospect Chuck McDonald couldn’t be happier to be in Tuscaloosa.
“I think we are going to be really good this year,” he said. “We are going to be the old Alabama. We didn’t have any guys go in the portal during the spring. Everyone is locked in. It’s really starting to come together as a team, guys are building that bond, and I think we’ll be unstoppable this fall.
“Most of the guys in our class looked good out there (when McDonald attended the scrimmage). Lotzeir Brooks stood out. He’s shifty and really quick. Dijon (Lee), of course. He has great size and physicality. Abduall looked good. Ivan Taylor looked good. I definitely wanted to be out there when I saw those guys working, and now the time has finally come.”
Currently standing 6-foot-1, 193 pounds, the plan is for McDonald to begin his career in Tuscaloosa as an outside corner. He has worked on technique, staying in the weight room and overall craft during the last few months to prepare for what’s ahead.
Chuck is playing with a purpose after losing his mother to a heart attack during his senior season of high school. It’s tough not to root for this young man. And people just can’t stop talking about Lotzeir Brooks. Four wide sets with Brooks and Ryan Willams in the slot, with Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton outside, have a chance to be scary.
Marlon Humphrey is adding filmmaker to his resume, and you will likely be interested in it.
The film will feature several former players who played a part in the Saban or Bryant eras, including Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Ravens Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome, who played under Bryant 1974-77, also made an appearance in the trailer.
Newsome has previously stated the influential role Bryant had in his life.
“Coach Bryant helped me grow up,” Newsome said. “He pushed me further than I thought I could go, both on and off the field.”
Humphrey played under Saban from 2014-2016 before the Ravens selected him in the first round of the 2017 draft. The four-time Pro Bowler played an instrumental role in Saban’s fourth title at Alabama in 2015 when the Crimson Tide defeated Clemson. Humphrey had three tackles and recovered a surprise onside kick in the fourth quarter in the Tide’s 45-40 win over the Tigers.
May as well relive that play, eh?
In last year’s NFL Draft, Marlon Humphrey was the first Alabama player to come off the board. He will forever be linked to this play… #BuiltByBama #1stRoundPick @marlon_humphrey pic.twitter.com/lsbO9z8oCC
— alabamavault (@alabamavault) April 12, 2018
Last, Alabama basketball is still in the mix for Desmond Claude.
Gonzaga and Washington are also in the mix for Claude. However, Trotter says the two programs also have interest in Grand Canyon transfer Tyon Grant-Foster and expects it to be an “either-or situation.”
It’s also worth noting that Gonzaga is leaning toward Grant-Foster out of the two ball-handlers. Claude was voted to be an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection after leading the Trojans in scoring with an average 15.8 points per game. He recorded a personal best 11 assists against Washington in the only double-double of his junior season.
Nate doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to fill his two roster openings, but a 6’6” point guard with experience as a high major starter would be tough to pass up.
That’s about it for today. Have a great week.
Roll Tide.
