Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from Monday, March 10th:
Ryan Kelly signs with the Minnesota Vikings
Former Alabama All-American center Ryan Kelly is on the move. Kelly spent the first nine years of his career with the Indianapolis Colts after being selected with the No. 18 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Kelly went on to make four Pro Bowl appearances and a second team All Pro in 2020.
On Monday during the first day of NFL free agency, Kelly signed a two-year, $18 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Kelly won three national championships during his time at Alabama and was an All American and Rimington Trophy winner in 2015.
Najee Harris is on the move, too
After spending the first four years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he broke 1000 yards in each season, Najee Harris will play elsewhere in 2025. The Steelers declined his fifth year option before the 2024 season, allowing him to hit free agency.
Harris is heading back to the West Coast:
Source: Chargers reached agreement with former Steelers RB Najee Harris on a one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million. pic.twitter.com/rXoveEOkSc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2025
In his four years at Alabama, Harris was part of two national championship winning teams in 2017 and 2020 to bookend his career in Tuscaloosa. In 2020, Harris won the Doak Walker Award and as a unanimous All-American as he helped the Crimson Tide to the title.
Justin Lebron is Baseball America's top collegiate prospect for 2026
The hype train for Justin Lebron continues to speed down the tracks. The Alabama sophomore has hit 11 homeruns and driven in 43 runs in just 17 games this season while slashing .394/.506/.1000 while leading Alabama to a 16-1 record to open the season.
Scouts are taking notice of the talented Alabama shortstop. Per Baseball America, Lebron is the No. 1 college prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft, which puts him firmly in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft.
Baseball, softball back in action on Tuesday
Both the baseball and softball teams are back in action on Tuesday with non-conference tune-ups before both open SEC play this coming weekend.
Softball faces off with South Alabama on the road in Mobile at 5:00 PM CT on ESPN+. The Crimson Tide open SEC play this weekend against Mississippi State in Tuscaloosa. After a struggle to open the season, softball has won 13 of its past 14 games.
The baseball team faces off with UAB at Regions Field in Birmingham on Tuesday night. Alabama takes the long road trip to College Station this weekend to face Texas A&M to open SEC play in good measuring stick series for the 17th ranked Crimson Tide.