Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 1/10
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Alabama Recruiting: 5-Star RB Damien Harris Rolls With The Tide
"The Crimson Tide got some great news on the recruiting front on Friday when five-star running back Damien Harris committed to Alabama at a ceremony held at his high school. He becomes the Tide’s 26th commit for this class.Harris selected the Tide as his college destination over the Ohio State Buckeyes and the in-state Kentucky Wildcats.The 5-foot-11, 205 pound prospect is rated as the number one player in state of Kentucky and the number two running back in the class of 2015 according to 247Sports’ rankings. He also comes in rated as the 31st best player in the country according to their composite rankings."
The rich got a little bit richer yesterday. Not too many spots left to go and the class of 2015 will be wrapped up.
Alabama WR Cooper, RB Yeldon, S Collins declare for NFL draft
"Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper, safety Landon Collins and tailback T.J. Yeldon are skipping their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft.All three announced their decisions in a news conference on Friday.All-Americans Cooper and Collins are projected as likely top 10 picks. Draft projections have Yeldon possibly going as high as the second round."
We got to watch them for three years at Alabama and now they get to go and collect that paycheck. Congrats boys. We will all be watching.
Himmelsbach | Damien Harris’ pressures of home
"About 15 minutes after announcing that he would attend the University of Alabama, five-star running back Damien Harris received congratulations from friends as he walked around Madison Southern High School’s gym.Harris’ mother, Esther, was still wiping tears from her cheeks. Harris’ classmates were quietly filing back to their fifth-period classes, because life—and school—must go on. Then a Madison Southern basketball coach approached Harris. He basically told him it was too bad he had not picked Kentucky, but that he was still happy for him and proud of him."
Great story from the Courier Journal. Be sure to check out the video if you missed his announcement. Such a great moment with his mother.
No. 4 Alabama gymnastics briefly made it interesting before beating No. 21 Arizona
"The first meet of Alabama’s new era in gymnastics got interesting.Two falls on the bars made things close with No. 21 Arizona in the first meet in 36 years without Sarah Patterson. But, with the retired coach watching, the No. 4 Crimson Tide took advantage of a few Wildcat mistakes to win 196.225 to 194.375.A crowd of 12,123 witnessed Dana Duckworth’s first win as Alabama’s coach. It briefly got interesting for the No. 4 Tide.“Wooooo,” Duckworth said afterward. “That was fun.”"
Coach Dana Duckworth is off and running with a win. Congrats to the ladies on the great start.
Connor Oslin Grabs Three Individual Wins, Leads Swimming and Diving Men over Texas A&M
"Junior Connor Oslin won three individual events Friday afternoon in College Station, Texas to lead the Alabama men’s swimming and diving team to a decisive 162-138 win over Southeastern Conference Rival Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide women fell to the Aggies 178-120.Oslin won the 100 backstroke with a time of 47.93 and the 200 backstroke with a 1:47.04, more than 2.5 seconds ahead of the field. He closed out his meet by posting a 49.09 to win the 100 butterfly. Oslin also led off the Tide’s winning 200 medley relay to start off the meet, combining with sophomore Anton McKee, junior Brett Walsh and sophomore Kristian Gkolomeev for a 1:29.08."
Baseball’s Mikey White Named Preseason Third Team All-American
"University of Alabama junior shortstop Mikey White was selected as a Preseason Third Team All-American by Perfect Game USA, the organization announced Friday.White enters this season after a standout 2014 year in which the shortstop batted .300 (71-237) with nine doubles, two triples and seven home runs. He recorded a team-leading 50 runs while knocking in 33 RBI through 61 starts. In postseason play, White was named to the NCAA Tallahassee All-Regional Team thanks to his one home run and team-high six runs scored."
Men’s Basketball Begins Road Stretch at Tennessee Saturday Afternoon
"Alabama will play three of its next four on the road beginning Saturday, when the Tide travels to face the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT (2 p.m. ET) on the SEC Network. It will mark Alabama’s first SEC road game this season."