Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from Wednesday and Thursday, September 17th and 18th:
Alabama a betting underdog against Georgia...again
Not that they aren't used to it, but Alabama opened as the underdog for next week's matchup against Georgia in early betting lines. That marks the fifth consecutive meeting against the Bulldogs where the Crimson Tide has been the underdog.
The good news is - Alabama has won three of the previous four meetings, including last year's 41-34 win in Tuscaloosa. Alabama was also the underdog for the SEC Championship Games in 2021 and 2023, both of which were won by the Tide. Alabama lost to Georgia as the underdog in the 2021 National Championship Game.
Alabama was also the underdog 10 years ago, the last time they made the trek to Athens. Alabama won that game 38-10, erasing any lingering doubts left from a home loss to Ole Miss. That team went on to win the National Title. Here's hoping history repeats.
Kalen DeBoer praises freshman DL London Simmons
Freshman DL London Simmons was thrust into an instant role this season due to injuries. Alabama lost starting nose tackle Tim Keenan to a high-ankle sprain, which forced Simmons into a backup role for the opener against Florida State. During the next week of practice, Keenan's backup - Jeremiah Beaman - suffered a torn ACL. Simmons has now started the last two games as a result. Results have been pretty positive.
"The steps that you need a young guy to take, he's taking those," DeBoer said.
Keenan should be back for next week's showdown with Georgia, but Simmons will continue to play a key role in Alabama's interior defensive line depth.
Danny Kannell praises Ty Simpson, calls him a Heisman candidate
Yeah, I know, it felt just as weird writing that headline as it did to read it. Danny Kannell is, and always has been, a massive Alabama/SEC hater. For him to praise an Alabama player, it means he REALLY has to believe it. And Ty Simpson has given him, and everyone else, a reason to believe the last couple of weeks.
Simpson has played lights out, completing 41-of-46 passes in wins over UL Monroe and Wisconsin. He looks a lot more comfortable than he did against Florida State. If he continues playing at this level, he can lead this team all the way.
Kadyn Proctor wants to the coaches to settle on the starting OL
Kalen DeBoer has never shied away from positional rotating across the board. Everyone rotates skill guys, but DeBoer likes to rotate offensive linemen, linebackers, DBs, etc. Your mileage may vary on your opinion of it. For Kadyn Proctor, he'd prefer that rotation end sooner rather than later, and for the staff to settle on the five up-front so they can build cohesiveness.
“I don’t think it’s good to have rotation throughout the whole season because you have to have that camaraderie between all five for them to be at one," Proctor said. ..."I feel like it’s not bad right now, but once we get into the tougher teams, we need those five and we need to stick with them.”
Alabama has mainly shuffled at RG and RT. Starters Geno VanDeMark and Wilkin Formby are trying desperately to hold on to their jobs with pushes from Jaeden Roberts and freshman Michael Carroll. Don't be surprised to see the latter two earn the start next week in Athens.
Latrell Wrightsell has returned to 5-on-5 work
According to assistant coach - and former Alabama legend - Erwin Dudley, senior guard Latrell Wrightsell has returned to 5-on-5 work, clearing another major hurdle on his path to a return to the court.
Wrightsell, one of college basketball's premier three-point shooters, tore his Achilles last season in a loss to Oregon in Las Vegas, ending his season. He received a medical redshirt to return, and his offensive firepower and leadership will provide a big boost for Nate Oats' team in 2025-26.