Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from Monday and Tuesday, August 4th and 5th.
Updates on fall camp injuries to Lotzeir Brooks and Qua Russaw
You are never going to get through camp with nobody getting dinged up, but the hope is that you avoid anything major as you prepare for the season. So far so good for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide, though they do have a couple of guys dealing with a couple minor tweaks.
The most significant one is freshman WR Lotzeir Brooks, who has missed the last three practices. He has been in a black, no-contact jersey with a walking boot and has typically been seen riding a stationary bike. According to DeBoer, it's not a long-term injury and shouldn't be something that lingers throughout the season.
As for Qua Russaw, he has been limited in the last two practices, but is not in a non-contact jersey. It seems to just be a precaution with Russaw to avoid anything he could potentially aggravate as we inch closer to the season opener.
Alabama ranked No. 8 in the Coaches Poll
The Coaches' Poll came out on Monday, and Alabama was ranked No. 8, its lowest preseason ranking since 2008, miraculously.
The parallels between the 2008 season and the 2025 season are stark. The '08 Crimson Tide entered the season ranked No. 24 in Nick Saban's second season at the helm. This will be DeBoer's second season in Tuscaloosa, and he has a history of significant year two jumps.
Alabama recruiting target Nolan Wilson predicted to land at Notre Dame
Just a week after missing out on 5-star in-state edge Anthony 'Tank' Jones, Alabama is projected to miss out on its top remaining target as well. 4-star DL Nolan Wilson received a recent prediction to land with Notre Dame, ahead of his official announcement on Friday.
It was still an outstanding summer for Alabama on the recruiting trail, just with a bit of a disappointing end. But that shouldn't take away from the work DeBoer and his staff did to put together an elite 2026 class.
Bill Connelly ranks Ty Simpson as one of college football's most important players
Insert a shocked face. The QB at Alabama would be one of the most important players in the country? You don't say!
Ty Simpson is featured prominently on Connelly's list and for good reason: he's likely to hold the keys for one of the best rosters in the country. If Simpson can elevate an already elite team, then Alabama should be one of the favorites to end the season hoisting the National Championship trophy.
This team is that good, and how Simpson performs is that important.
Alabama strength coach David Ballou sets the tone
Alabama strength coach David Ballou has set the tone for the Crimson Tide this season, something that started as soon as the final whistle blew on Alabama's fourth disappointing loss to end the 2024 season.
Ballou stated the thought of last season "still pisses you off," and that this Alabama team has worked the entire offseason with that mindset as they prepare for 2025.
Of course, talk is cheap, but everything from this offseason has generated nothing but optimism for DeBoer's second Alabama team. This team seems focused, poised, and ready to get back to the standard in Tuscaloosa.
Latrell Wrightsell's road to recovery
And finally, we'll end on some positive basketball news. Alabama senior guard Latrell Wrightsell dropped a YouTube video this week detailing his road to recovery from the Achilles tear he suffered last season in a November loss to Oregon.
Wrightsell looks terrific in the video. He had consistent praise for Alabama athletic trainer Clarke Holter, stating how Holter had a great plan to get him back on the court. Wrightsell looks like he could play a game today, and he should be ready to go for the start of the season.
That's great news for Nate Oats and Tide hoops.