Ivan Taylor, Son of Former NFL CB Ike, Flips Commitment to Alabama from Michigan
Nov 19, 2024
Ivan Taylor, a 4-star safety from the class of 2025, has flipped his commitment from Michigan to Alabama. He officially announced his decision on Monday evening.
Happy to announce my commitment to the University of Alabama. I’m blessed for the opportunity, and I look forward to playing for Coach DeBoer and his staff. Roll tide! 🐘🏈
Per the 247Sports Composite class of 2025 rankings, Taylor is the No. 7 safety and No. 59 overall prospect.
Taylor is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers starting cornerback Ike Taylor, a two-time Super Bowl champion who played from 2003-2014.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer is bringing in a loaded class of 2025 that already sits third in the 247Sports rankings. The Crimson Tide have four 5-star players, including No. 3 overall prospect, quarterback Keelon Russell.
Now the rich get richer as Taylor joins the mix. The secondary was already loaded with talent thanks to 5-star cornerback Dijon Lee and 4-star cornerback Chuck McDonald. With Taylor, Alabama arguably has the best secondary out of any school's class of 2025.
The six-foot, 174-pound Taylor plays for West Orange in Winter Garden, Florida. In May 2023, 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins compared Taylor to Tampa Bay Buccaneers star defensive back Antoine Winfield and called him a "a high-IQ safety prospect with elite NFL bloodlines and a top-flight testing profile."
Needless to say, Michigan's loss is Alabama's massive gain here as the Crimson Tide land a talented prospect.
Jalen Milroe, Ryan Williams Applauded by CFB Fans in Alabama's Blowout Win vs. Mercer
Nov 16, 2024
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 16: Ryan Williams #2 and Germie Bernard #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate a first half touchdown agains the Mercer Bears at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images)
Quarterback Jalen Milroe, wide receiver Ryan Williams and a dominant defense helped lead No. 10 Alabama to a 52-7 win over Mercer on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
Milroe completed 11-of-16 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns while adding 43 rushing yards and another score on the ground. He now has 15 passing touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns on the year.
Williams scored Alabama's first two touchdowns. He initially opened the scoring with a 29-yard rushing TD.
Williams, who caught three passes for 36 yards, also took a quick flip 14 yards for Alabama's second TD. The 17-year-old freshman now has 820 total yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games.
'Bama then cleared the bench, to the point where three different quarterbacks (backup Ty Simpson as well as Austin Mack and Dyler Lonergan) also saw playing time in the second half.
Mercer has impressed on the Division I-FCS level. Entering Saturday, the Bears held a 9-1 record and the No. 7 spot in the FCS rankings.
But understandably, Mercer was outclassed in Alabama, where the Crimson Tide rolled to a 28-0 second quarter lead en route to the victory. Alabama also out-gained the Bears 508-202.
Fans were impressed with Milroe and Williams, a dynamic duo that has guided Alabama to a three-game winning streak featuring the team averaging 42.7 points per game.
Jalen Milroe had an efficient day, same with Ryan Williams. Defensively, Russaw, Campbell, and Brown all shined. In the 2nd half, Ty Simpson & Austin Mack both dropped dimes, one of those to Rico Scott for a TD. Next up is Oklahoma! pic.twitter.com/0gwR17llmK
Alabama, which is now 8-2 overall (4-2 SEC), closes the regular season at Oklahoma next Saturday before hosting arch-rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Nov. 30.
Parker Brailsford NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Alabama IOL
Nov 13, 2024
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 14: Parker Brailsford of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up before game against Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'2"
WEIGHT: 275
POSITIVES
— Twitchy, explosive mover with excellent quickness, burst and change of direction
— Uncorks on contact with jolt, tight clench and unrelenting leg drive to strain and stay attached to blocks
— Can hook a shade in zone, line up a three-technique on back blocks and intersect targets on climbs
— Brings an attacking, junkyard dog mentality to the pivot
— Creates space out of his stance in pass protection with his head out of the block and light, active hands to punch and mirror sub-package rushers
— Shows good mental processing skills to avoid getting picked, sort and handle line games, stunts and late-loopers
NEGATIVES
— Slight frame with middling sand and mass
— Will get stoned and stacked when squared up on angle-drive and bull-rushes that lead him to getting slowly pried open
— Frenetic playing style with some jerky movements that lead him to overshoot his aiming point and forced into scramble mode to recover positional leverage
NOTES
— Born Oct. 20, 2003
— 3-star recruit from the 2022 class, per 247Sports
— Originally committed and played two seasons at Washington where he started 15 games (13 at center, two at right guard)
— Starting center on the 2023 Joe Moore Award winning Husky offensive line and runner-up in the National Championship
— 4-star prospect in the transfer portal before committing to Alabama before the 2024 season
OVERALL
Parker Brailsford has split his two seasons as a starting center between Washington and Alabama, including on the 2023 Joe Moore Award winning Husky unit as the National Champion runner-up before transferring to Alabama's run-first (60-40 run-pass split), shotgun, RPO-heavy, multiple-run scheme for the 2024 season. Brailsford has a slender frame with a lean, muscular build and minimal mass. He is an excellent, twitched up athlete with outstanding competitive toughness.
Brailsford wins as a run blocker with excellent quickness and bursts into contact to close space on opponents with a jolt and unrelenting strain to claw and scrap to stay attached through the whistle. He does a nice job maintaining his clench, keeping defenders tight to his frame and chipping away at the defender's balance. He takes good angles to the second level on climbs with very good stop/start quicks to line up his target and can steer backers away from the ball once latched. Brailsford's middling sand and mass will leave him stalemated and slowly pried open when defensive tackles can square him up and establish the first meaningful contact. Still, he makes it difficult to shed clean due to persistent effort.
In pass protection, Brailsford creates space out of his stance with a flat-back posture and good processing skills to sort games and avoid picks. He uses light, effective hands to punch, reset, and keep rushers occupied while staying in front of sub-package rushers and speed moves. If he doesn't win initial leverage, he will get jolted back, pressed, and walked back against power, creating a shaky anchor in one-on-one situations.
Overall, Brailsford's slender frame and lack of sand pigeonhole him at center and will be a limiting factor in the NFL when isolated head-up against defensive tackles, but excellent movement skills, competitive toughness, alertness, and sustain skills are a chore to deal with and offer a valuable skill set that he can use to compete for a starting center job if flanked with bigger, hulking guards to help mitigate size concerns.
Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.
Domani Jackson NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Alabama CB
Nov 13, 2024
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Domani Jackson (1) looks on during the ReliaQuest Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines, December 31, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Ricky Bowden/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'1"
WEIGHT: 190
POSITIVES
— Long and lean defender who has the ideal body type for the cornerback position at the next level.
— Explosive athlete that shows a good burst out of his breaks, paired with the recovery and closing speed necessary.
— Technician that plays with good technique in press and off coverage. Good lateral quickness and hand usage in press, paired with a tight smooth backpedal when off.
— Plays with the necessary ball skills for the positions. He gets his head around to locate the ball, showing good timing. He also shows the patience necessary to play the ball in the air with his back to him.
— Secure tackler who does what is needed to get the ball-carrier on the ground.
NEGATIVES
— Inconsistent breaking from off-coverage. Can tend to hop into his breaks.
— Gives up his leverage in press too often. Allows receivers to easily cross his face.
Domani Jackson is a long, lean, and explosive cornerback prospect with the ideal frame for the position. A technician with solid athletic traits, Jackson offers versatility in both press and off coverage, along with the ball skills needed to make plays at the next level.
Jackson excels in both press and off coverage, demonstrating good lateral quickness, smooth backpedal technique, and strong hand usage. He possesses the necessary burst and recovery speed to close gaps and stay in phase with receivers. His ball skills are a highlight, as he consistently locates the ball, shows patience, and plays through the reception point without panicking. However, he has a tendency to lose leverage in press and can be a bit tight in his breaks, leading to separation out of breaks.
Jackson is a secure tackler who is willing to contribute to run defense. While he may not deliver massive hits, he is reliable in getting ball carriers to the ground. His physicality and length allow him to engage blockers and contain plays to his side.
Domani Jackson projects as an early-round pick with the potential to develop into a starter. His technical skills and athleticism make him a valuable asset. Still, he must refine his breaking technique and improve his ability to maintain leverage in press coverage to maximize his potential at the next level.
Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.
Jalen Milroe Dazzles CFB Fans as Ryan Williams, Alabama Rout Brian Kelly, LSU
Nov 10, 2024
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 09: Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up before a game against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Jalen Milroe couldn't be stopped in Death Valley on Saturday night.
Milroe was dominant on the ground, leading No. 11 Alabama to a lopsided 42-13 victory over No. 15 LSU.
He finished 12-of-18 for 109 yards but did most of his damage on the ground. Milroe rushed for a career-high 185 yards on just 12 attempts, scoring four touchdowns.
The 21-year-old continued to overwhelm LSU, as he previously scored four touchdowns on the ground during a 2023 victory over the Crimson Tide's SEC rival.
As a team, Alabama amassed 311 rush yards while averaging 6.5 yards per attempt against the Tigers on Saturday.
Fans and pundits were amazed by Milroe's performance.
JALEN. MILROE.
THE QB AND ALABAMA HAND LSU ITS FIRST HOME NIGHT GAME LOSS UNDER BRIAN KELLY 😤 pic.twitter.com/xnMsopxNHr
Standout true freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams was targeted just three times as the Crimson Tide focused on their rushing attack, recording 29 yards.
It was a disappointing result for head coach Brian Kelly's team, especially after allowing Milroe to make a similar impact compared to the 2023 loss. LSU has now dropped two consecutive games, making it extremely difficult to compete for a College Football Playoff spot.
Meanwhile, Alabama improved to 7-2.
ESPN College Gameday 2024: Location, TV Schedule and Week 11 Predictions
Erik Beaston
Nov 8, 2024
BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 26: ESPN College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit on set prior to a college football game between the Washington Huskies and Indiana Hoosiers on October 26, 2024 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ESPN College Gameday returns to Baton Rouge, Lousiana on Saturday, home of the No. 15 LSU Tigers, who will host the No. 11 Alabama Tigers in the weekend's highest-stakes match-up.
College Football Playoff contention is on the line between the two 6-2 teams, making the game more meaningful as neither is likely to make it in with three losses.
ESPN College GameDay is headed to Baton Rouge for Alabama @ LSU next Saturday:
Who leaves the game with a much-needed victory and which of coach Nick Saban's former teams will see their hopes and dreams of a national title evaporate when the final whistle blows?
Find out with this preview and prediction.
But first, all of the info you need for Saturday morning's Gameday.
Info
Date: Saturday, November 9
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: The Quad at LSU in Baton Rouge
TV: ESPN, ESPN U
Streaming: ESPN+
Crew: Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Saban, Pete Thamel, Stanford Steve, Jen Lada, and Jess Sims
Special Celebrity Guest Picker(s)
What's better than one national champion? How about two national champions? 🤩
The Crimson Tide defense could be the difference in Saturday's showdown.
Ranked fifth in the nation in team takeaways, they have tallied 10 in their last three games. The defense responsible for those staggering numbers is likely champing at the bit to face Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who has tossed seven interceptions in his last four games.
If he continues that trend, the showdown in Baton Rouge will not be close and the home team's dreams of a playoff appearance will go up in smoke.
The Tigers are a pass-first offense. When pressed in a scenario where the offense has to come back from a deficit quickly, Nussmeier throws into tight coverage and turns the ball over, as evidenced by his last four performances. It typically occurs during a dropback and/or is accompanied by some sort of pass rush, even if the defender does not get near him.
Here is every Garrett Nussmeier interception this season (plus 1 that was called back for penalty).
Alabama's coaching staff likely knows that and will do one of two things: either take the passing game away and force the Tigers to try and win the game on the ground or disguise coverage to confuse the quarterback and get him to sling the ball into tight spots and give the defense a chance to win the game.
The rivalry itself has been one-sided of late, with Alabama dominating to the tune of an 8-2 record against LSU. That said, the Tigers won a one-point thriller the last time the two teams met up in Baton Rouge.
There has been no real pattern in closeness, with some games decided within a range of one-to-three points and others, complete blowouts.
Given the unfavorable match-up for the Tigers and their weaknesses, this may trend toward the latter.
Expect a close game early, maybe into the half, before Nussmeier dials up one of those passing plays that end up in the hands of a player in the other jersey and the downfall commences.
Alabama wins, 37-20
Jalen Milroe, Ryan Williams, Alabama Beat Mizzou as Fans Applaud Bounce-Back Win
Oct 26, 2024
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 26: Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts a pass against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)
No. 15 Alabama cruised to a 34-0 home win over No. 21 Missouri on Saturday behind a powerful defense and rushing attack.
Credit goes to the pass defense in particular, as Missouri quarterbacks Brady Cook and Drew Pyne completed just 13-of-24 attempts for 72 yards. Pyne also threw three interceptions to Malachi Moore, Bray Hubbard and Qua Russaw.
The pass game was relatively quiet, as Milroe completed 16-of-26 passes for 215 yards. Germie Bernard's five catches for 82 yards led the way. But the Crimson Tide didn't need a ferocious pass attack on this day as the defense and run game got it done.
It was a much-needed win for Alabama, which had just undergone a disastrous three-game stretch.
The Crimson Tide were on top of the college football world after defeating Georgia 41-34 in an instant classic on Sept. 28.
Then unranked Vanderbilt stunned Alabama in Nashville, opening up a 23-7 lead before earning a 40-35 win.
The Crimson Tide nearly got picked off at home in their following game before sneaking by South Carolina 27-25. Alabama wasn't so lucky in the follow-up, falling 24-17 to Alabama last Saturday.
That put Alabama well on the outside looking in at the current College Football Playoff picture. However, the Crimson Tide enjoyed a bounce-back win over Missouri, with the defense and run game getting most of the accolades.
Alabama should absolutely be happy with this performance even though Missouri has no business being ranked.
The Crimson Tide didn't "play down" to their competition, which is a significant step forward.
Clearly Missouri is limited with injuries. But seeing the Alabama defense gain confidence on all 3 levels will be important going into the bye and before LSU. #RollTide#AlabamaFootball
Alabama has a bye week now, but up next is a massive road game against No. 8 LSU on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Alabama's DeBoer Ripped by Fans as Tennessee Upsets Ryan Williams, Milroe, No. 7 Tide
Oct 19, 2024
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Kalen DeBoer of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during the first quarter against the Tennessee Volunteers at Nissan Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
No. 7 Alabama was unable to come back from a fourth-quarter deficit, losing to No. 11 Tennessee on the road by the final score of 24-17 on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide suffered their second loss of the season, falling to 5-2.
Jalen Milroe struggled with inaccuracy throughout the game, completing a season-low 55.6 percent of his throws for 239 yards and a touchdown to go along with two interceptions.
Ryan Williams was Milroe's top option in the pass game, as the standout freshman was targeted 20 times. He was only able to record eight catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, though.
It was a disappointing offensive performance from head coach Kalen DeBoer's squad, going up against a Volunteers team that entered the contest with the third-best scoring defense in the SEC.
The Crimson Tide were only able to muster 89 rush yards on 34 attempts, converting just three of 14 opportunities on third down.
Fans and former players called out DeBoer following the upset loss.
I’m shocked to see the lack of discipline this Alabama program continues to display each week. Outside of losing, Kalen DeBoer needs to get a grip on things before that Bama fan base runs him out of town!
Alabama has more talent on their roster than almost every program in the country. And that’ll win them games. But the drop-off from Saban to DeBoer was bigger than I ever anticipated. Grand Canyon sized drop-off.
The more I watch Alabama the more I believe Saban had to have helped Deboer coach the team during the week heading into the Georgia game. Not even close to the same team.
Alabama now has two losses through its first seven games. Per Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger, that occurred just once under legendary head coach Nick Saban in 2007.
The Crimson Tide will attempt to bounce back in their next game against No. 19 Missouri.
Video: Nick Saban Declined Niece's Wedding for Being Scheduled on Alabama Game Day
Oct 19, 2024
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 02: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on prior to the SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Nick Saban's family didn't think to look at Alabama's football schedule when arranging a wedding.
The former Alabama head coach revealed on Saturday's episode of College Gameday he had to decline an invitation to his niece's wedding because it was scheduled for the same weekend his team was playing a game.
Saban also said last year he had to turn down an invitation to the wedding of his best friend's daughter because it was scheduled on Dec. 31, one day before Alabama's matchup with Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
In defense of Saban's niece, her wedding was scheduled for Aug. 29. That isn't traditionally when you are thinking about football because the season will start for most FBS teams in September.
It's unclear what year Saban's niece got married. The most recent Crimson Tide opener closest to Aug. 29 was five years ago when they defeated Duke 42-3 in Atlanta on Aug. 31, 2019.
Would the result of that game really have changed that much if Saban handed off coaching duties to one of his assistants so he could go to the wedding? Probably not, but we will never know.
Saban did end his coaching career at Alabama with a perfect 17-0 record in season openers from 2007 to '23.
There was nothing Saban could do about the wedding of his best friend's daughter. That is just an instance where you have to send the couple well wishes and a gift.
Of course, Saban might have preferred going to the wedding if he knew Alabama was going to lose to Michigan, 27-20 in overtime, in what turned out to be the final game of his coaching career.
17-Year-Old Alabama Star Ryan Williams Called 'an Old Soul' by His Mother Tiffany
Oct 18, 2024
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 12: Ryan Williams #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide catches a pass during warmups prior to facing the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams looks a lot older than 17 years old when he is torching SEC defenses, and he is that maturity extends off the field as well.
"He's an old soul," Tiffany Coleman, who is Williams' mother, told ESPN's Mark Schlabach for a piece published Friday. "People are like, 'He's so mature to be 17.' His grandparents had a lot to do with that. His maturity and foundation came from them."
Schlabach noted Williams lived with his paternal grandparents as a young child because his father was playing college football for Auburn, then Copiah-Lincoln Community College and eventually Louisiana Tech.
He was particularly close to his grandfather, Robert.
"He was always with his grandfather," Coleman said. "He would take him to practice. He would take him to school. He was Robert's shotgun buddy, you know?"
Williams is now one of the best players in all of college football even though his age suggests he should be in high school. He has 23 catches for 576 yards and six touchdowns through six games for the Crimson Tide and already made arguably the play of the season during a dramatic 41-34 victory over Georgia on Sept. 28.
He made a jumping, contested catch before spinning past two Georgia defenders and taking it to the house for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
It was the play that immediately made Williams a household name among college football fans, and now he will look to further cement himself on the national scene by helping Alabama bounce back from a loss to Vanderbilt and make a late push for the College Football Playoff.
Saturday will be an important step toward doing just that, as the Crimson Tide hit the road to face Tennessee in a key SEC showdown.
If the start of his season is any indication, Williams will be firmly under the spotlight in that game as well.
