Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from July 21st and July 22nd:
Alabama lands commitment from 4-star QB Tayden Kaawa
Kalen DeBoer landed Alabama's 20th commitment in the 2026 class with 4-star QB Tayden Kaawa. Kaawa is the second quarterback in this class for the Crimson Tide, joining 4-star Jett Thomalla, who flipped from Iowa State in June.
Alabama had a clear need at the position with only three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster heading into the 2025 season. The expectation is that further attrition will impact the current room after the season, either via the Transfer Portal, NFL Draft early entry, or both.
Kaawa's commitment jettisons Alabama back into the composite Top 5. Alabama had recently slipped to No. 6, but is now back up to No. 4 following the commitment on Tuesday.
Deontae Lawson throws public support behind Kalen DeBoer
Speaking at SEC Media Days, star LB Deontae Lawson, one of the permanent captains from last season's team, and a shoo-in for that honor again in 2025, threw out quite a few compliments toward his head coach.
Lawson mentioned how the team was fully bought into DeBoer and this staff now, and was candid enough to admit that it wasn't always the case last season, as the Crimson Tide struggled to a 9-4 record.
Lawson mentioned the tightknitness of the group and how that connection is better than it has been during his five years on the team.
Andy Staples reveals two dark horse Heisman contenders from Alabama
According to On3's Andy Staples, Alabama has two dark horse contenders for the Heisman Trophy: QB Ty Simpson and WR Ryan Williams.
Simpson is widely expected to be the starting QB this season, but he still must earn that job in fall camp over Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. If he does, he'll pilot one of the most talented rosters in the country, with plenty of opportunities to put up gaudy statistics that put him squarely in the Heisman conversation.
Williams will put up stats regardless of who the QB throwing him the ball is. New OC Ryan Grubb is likely salivating over finding creative ways to get his star sophomore the football. What will make it difficult for Williams to produce the numbers necessary for a WR to get on the Heisman radar is the two receivers who will start next to him: Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton.
Together, they form one of the top trios in college football. Bernard and Horton will take enough touches away from Williams, where he probably isn't a realistic Heisman candidate in 2025.
Jaeden Roberts is stronger than you
Alabama OG Jaeden Roberts apparently set a Tuscaloosa weight room record recently. And when you consider the monsters who have come through Alabama over the years, that's certainly saying something.
Roberts' mom shared the news on her X account, stating that Roberts squatted 900 pounds. Good luck to linebackers who have to step in front of that freight train when he's the pulling guard.
Labaron Philon explains his decision to return to Alabama
Alabama rising sophomore guard Labaron Philon sat down with Sleepers Media this week for an interview, and among the topics was his decision to return to the Crimson Tide.
Philon declared for the NBA Draft following the season, and at one point made a public declaration that he was staying in the draft and closing the door on a possible return to the Tide. And then, right before the deadline to withdraw, Philon made the announcement he was coming back to Alabama for his sophomore season.
Philon mentioned how much Alabama basketball meant to him and how big of a factor it was to play another season under Nate Oats.