Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from a busy weekend for Alabama athletics.
Keelon Russell and others impress during Alabama's A-Day scrimmage
There were plenty of storylines during A-Day, but none bigger than the performance of redshirt freshman quarterback Keelon Russell, who seemed to take control of the Crimson Tide's QB competition with a big performance in the scrimmage.
Russell completed 21-of-33 passes for 240 yards and four touchdown passes to go along with a rushing score. He outperformed Austin Mack, though the rising redshirt junior was "dinged up" according to Kalen DeBoer.
Alabama's offense looked explosive with Russell at the helm, and there's a lot of talent at receiver for the Crimson Tide. Along with Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks, Rico Scott, Cederian Morgan, and Derek Meadows all had standout performances during the scrimmage.
The offensive line is still a work in progress, but that's not surprising after just a dozen practices.
Below are some additional links to our A-Day content:
- Ryan Coleman-Williams offers high praise to Keelon Russell
- Alabama lands commitment from 3-star DL AJ Pauley on A-Day
- RB EJ Crowell seen with a boot and on a scooter during scrimmage
- 5 Alabama players trending up after A-Day
- Freshman WR Cederian Morgan seizes the spotlight
- Michael Carroll's versatility is key for Alabama's offensive line
- Alabama's post-A-Day projected 2026 Depth Chart
Alabama basketball lands Transfer Portal commitment from Brandon Garrison
Nate Oats typically moves in silence during the Transfer Portal, and the latest example of that came on Sunday night when Kentucky big man Brandon Garrison committed to Alabama, seemingly out of nowhere.
Garrison had not been previously linked to Alabama. His commitment could potentially signal a fundamental change in defensive philosophy for the Crimson Tide. Garrison is a hyper-athletic big; one who is capable of switching and defending guards. His addition could be a signal that Oats will move away from drop coverage defensively.
Alabama has other targets, some known and some unknown. The portal window remains open until April 21st, and there will be plenty of action af it closes, too.
Alabama softball sweeps Auburn on the road
Fresh off an impressive series win at home over then-No. 1 Texas, Alabama softball took care of business on the road against rival Auburn this weekend, earning a three-game sweep and outscoring the Tigers in the aggregate 14-1.
Jocelyn Briski and Vic Moten dominated the Tigers in the first two games of the series as Alabama earned back-to-back shutout victories.
Briski threw a complete game on Friday, allowing six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts. Alabama only managed a single run on an RBI hit by Kristen White, but it's all Briski needed.
On Saturday, Alabama's offense found a little bit more life, but didn't really need it. Moten was even more dominant, throwing a complete game and allowing just one hit in seven innings, walking three, and striking out five. A Brooke Wells homer highlighted the Tide's offense in a 4-0 win.
Alabama put an exclamation point on the series on Sunday, earning a 9-1 win in a run-rule shortened game. Briski threw another complete game, allowing just one run on three hits and eight strikeouts. The Tide's offense was more explosive, thanks to homers by Alexis Pupilo, Brooke Wells, and Ambrey Taylor.
Alabama is now 39-3 overall and alone in second place in the SEC standings, just one game behind Oklahoma. Patrick Murphy's club will face a midweek matchup against Samford before hosting a three-game series against last-place Kentucky next weekend.
Alabama baseball gets swept at home by Arkansas
Alabama baseball gave back a lot of the positive momentum it had gained recently with a disheartening sweep at home at the hands of Arkansas.
Bullpen blowups were the culprits in the first two losses.
Tyler Fay pitched a Friday gem, allowing just one run across six innings as Alabama built a 3-1 lead. But Matthew Heiberger ran into trouble in the 8th inning, and the Razorbacks plated six runs to take a 7-3 lead. Alabama added a couple of runs in the 9th, but fell 7-5.
Saturday was a back-and-forth game and tied 4-4 going into the 7th inning. Arkansas took the lead with one run in the 7th, and then added a combined 10 runs in the 8th and 9th innings to turn a competitive game into a 15-6 laugher.
On Sunday, it was the Tide's bats that let them down. Alabama plated only two runs despite racking up nine hits in a 3-2 loss. Alabama held a 2-0 lead early and got a quality start out of Myles Upchurch, but just couldn't get the clutch hit when it needed it.
Rob Vaughn will look to get his team to bounce back with a mid-week matchup against UAB before they go on the road and face No. 2 Texas.