The stop at Central was likely to touch base with five-star wide receiver Justyn Ross. The Crimson Tide are among Ross’ finalists, joined by Auburn, Clemson and Florida. Ross was in Tuscaloosa Saturday when the Crimson Tide held their national championship parade.
\n","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"196742049","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/qc9w82/picture196742049","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"AP18009198472131","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","modified_date":1516926696,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1516926456,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/qc9w82/picture196742049/alternates/FREE_1140/AP18009198472131","href":"/web/v1/content/196742049","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945"],"credit":"","dateline":"","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/qc9w82/picture196742049/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/AP18009198472131"},{"id":"195903769","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article195903769.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"‘Deal Was If We Won ... The Locs Had To Come Off.’ Alabama quarterback has new look","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1516624309,"published_date":1516624309,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/i3tbgm/picture195903764/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/JALenDreads","authors":[{"name":"Scott Berson","email":"sberson@ledger-enquirer.com"}],"keywords":"jalen hurts, dreadlocks, hair, cut, ua, alabama, crimson tide, quarterback, qb, tua, hairstyle, locks, locs, twitter","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","7067"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts followed through on a promise over the weekend by cutting off his dreads after the championship win.","content":"
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts followed through on a promise over the weekend.
It all started when Josh Jacobs, a sophomore running back and teammate of Hurts, posted on Twitter Saturday afternoon, mysteriously chiding Hurts that because Alabama won the national championship earlier in January, it was “time for the big chop.”
We won the Natty sooo @JalenHurts time for the big chop
Later that night, Jacobs posted two more things - a baggie with Hurts’ signature dreadlocks and a video of Hurts running his hands through his short hair.
This is what Hurts looked like before the “big chop.”
Hurts posted his own message to Twitter soon after, saying he had made a deal that if the Tide won the championship, he would chop off his dreadlocks.
The Deal Was If We Won The Natty, The Locs Had To Come Off lol. New Look . Same Mission . Grind Hard And Improve Everyday ! #AllGlory2Godpic.twitter.com/w2uEKJLA9L
\n","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"195903764","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/i3tbgm/picture195903764","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"JALenDreads","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","modified_date":1516624308,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1516624308,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/i3tbgm/picture195903764/alternates/FREE_1140/JALenDreads","href":"/web/v1/content/195903764","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945"],"credit":"Special to the Ledger-Enquirer","dateline":"","caption":"Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts followed through on a promise over the weekend by cutting off his dreads after the championship win.","photographer":"Twitter/Screenshot","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/i3tbgm/picture195903764/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/JALenDreads"},{"id":"195187009","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article195187009.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Mekhi Brown breaks silence on his departure from Alabama","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1516224757,"published_date":1516224720,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/u1hmw2/picture195186989/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/IMG_1227","authors":[{"name":"Jordan D. Hill","email":"jhill@ledger-enquirer.com"}],"keywords":"mekhi, brown, alabama, crimson, tide, fight, blowup, argument, tennessee, state, nick, saban, carver, high, school","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","7065","34327"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"Two days after it was revealed that Alabama linebacker Mekhi Brown had transferred to Tennessee State, Brown offered context for his departure.","content":"
Two days after it was revealed that Alabama linebacker Mekhi Brown had transferred to Tennessee State, the former Carver High School star offered context for his departure on social media.
Brown, who is now enrolled at Tennessee State, tweeted Wednesday that his moving on had been in motion long before his controversial sideline antics during the Crimson Tide’s national championship game against Georgia.
I wasn’t kicked off the team, I had my mind set on leaving early in the season. Coach Saban didn’t want me to leave and had no plans to kick me off the team...
“I wasn’t kicked off the team,” Brown tweeted. “I had my mind set on leaving early this season. Coach Saban didn’t want me to leave and had no plans to kick me off the team.”
Brown’s explanation fits the report by The Tennessean which broke the news on his departure. According to the story, Brown had applied to Tennessee State and had been accepted to the school during the fall, long before the Jan. 8 game against the Bulldogs.
Brown, who was a four-star recruit when he came out of Carver, had played in a reserve role at linebacker and on special teams in his redshirt sophomore season. He drew attention for all the wrong reasons in Alabama’s national championship game when he was caught on camera arguing with director of player personnel Kerry Stevenson shortly after drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Brown explained after the Crimson Tide’s victory that he had apologized to Stevenson for his actions.
“Me and the coach, we talked about it,” Brown said. “I said I was sorry, and he apologized to me, too. We were both good from there. I didn’t do none of the stuff people were saying on the Internet.”
Brown played in 12 of Alabama’s 14 games in the 2017 season. He finished the season with seven total tackles.
“I feel like next year is definitely going to be his year,” Evans said. “He’s a long-length athlete who can run. I feel like right now he’s able to go through the things that I kind of went through, to be honest with you. I think now he understands that next year — whenever he does have the biggest opportunity of his life — he’ll take full advantage of it.”
After Brown’s actions in the College Football Playoff title game, he faces certain stipulations he must meet in order to join Tennessee State’s team. Once Brown meets those parameters, he will be allowed to participate in Tennessee State’s spring practice.
Brown is eligible to play this fall with two years of eligibility remaining.
\n","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"195186989","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/u1hmw2/picture195186989","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"IMG_1227","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","modified_date":1516224661,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1516224608,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/u1hmw2/picture195186989/alternates/FREE_1140/IMG_1227","href":"/web/v1/content/195186989","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945"],"credit":"jhill@ledger-enquirer.com","dateline":"","caption":"Carver High School alum Mekhi Brown set the record straight Wednesday regarding his departure from Alabama","photographer":"Jordan D. Hill","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/u1hmw2/picture195186989/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/IMG_1227"},{"id":"194777724","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article194777724.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Report: Carver alum Mekhi Brown transfers from Alabama","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1516063026,"published_date":1516053540,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/dbhh6z/picture194777719/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/IMG_1227","authors":[{"name":"Jordan D. Hill","email":"jhill@ledger-enquirer.com"}],"keywords":"mekhi, brown, blow, up, fight, alabama, crimson, tide, college, football, tennessee, state, st, nick, saban, argument","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","7065","7067"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"Alabama linebacker and Carver High School alum Mekhi Brown has transferred to Tennessee State, according to a report by The Tennessean.","content":"
Alabama linebacker and Carver High School alum Mekhi Brown has transferred to Tennessee State. The news was initially broken by The Tennessean and later confirmed by Brown via Twitter.
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\"I have transferred to Tennessee State University,\" Brown tweeted Monday evening.
\n
I have transferred to Tennessee State University... #TSU
Brown, who was a four-star recruit when he came out of Carver, had played in a reserve role at linebacker and on special teams in his redshirt sophomore season. He drew attention for all the wrong reasons in Alabama’s national championship game against Georgia when he was caught on camera arguing with director of player personnel Kerry Stevenson shortly after drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Brown explained after the Crimson Tide’s victory that he had apologized to Stevenson for his actions.
\n
“Me and the coach, we talked about it,” Brown said. “I said I was sorry, and he apologized to me, too. We were both good from there. I didn’t do none of the stuff people were saying on the Internet.”
\n
Brown played in 12 of Alabama’s 14 games in the 2017 season. He finished the season with seven total tackles.
“I feel like next year is definitely going to be his year,” Evans said. “He’s a long-length athlete who can run. I feel like right now he’s able to go through the things that I kind of went through, to be honest with you. I think now he understands that next year — whenever he does have the biggest opportunity of his life — he’ll take full advantage of it.”
\n
According to The Tennessean, Brown applied to Tennessee State and was admitted to the school during the fall. After Brown’s actions in the College Football Playoff title game, he faces certain stipulations he must meet in order to join Tennessee State’s team.
\n
Once Brown meets those parameters, he will be allowed to participate in Tennessee State’s spring practice. He is eligible to play this fall with two years of eligibility remaining.
\n","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"194777719","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/dbhh6z/picture194777719","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"IMG_1227","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","modified_date":1516053503,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1516053503,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/dbhh6z/picture194777719/alternates/FREE_1140/IMG_1227","href":"/web/v1/content/194777719","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945"],"credit":"jhill@ledger-enquirer.com","dateline":"","caption":"Former Carver Tiger standout Mekhi Brown has reportedly left Alabama after spending three years as a member of the Crimson Tide","photographer":"Jordan D. Hill","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/dbhh6z/picture194777719/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/IMG_1227"},{"id":"193889584","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article193889584.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"At championship, ribbons honored 'Bama band member who died hours before the game","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1515603399,"published_date":1515590105,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/latest-news/44m6te/picture193889839/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/steph.JPG","authors":[{"name":"Scott Berson","email":"sberson@ledger-enquirer.com"}],"keywords":"alabama, marching band, color guard, cancer, million dollar band, cartagena, tribute, ribbon, redcoat, football, college, UA","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","7067"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"Hours before the Crimson Tide won the national championship, Million Dollar Band color guard team member Stephanie Cartagena passed away from cancer","content":"
The morning of Jan. 8 was a time for members of the University of Alabama's Million Dollar Marching Band to get ready for the performance of their lives.
But those Million Dollar Band members faced that fateful morning with a burst of terrible news: one of their own, junior color guard member Stephanie Cartagena, had died after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. She was 20 years old.
She had been a color guard member in the bands of both Davidson High School in Mobile, Ala., and at the University of Alabama, which her obituary describes as her \"greatest passion.\"
Members of both the Georgia Redcoat band and Alabama's Million Dollar Band wore ribbons on their uniforms as tributes to Cartagena during the spectacular playoff game Monday night.
\"It was an honor to witness our own Wonder Woman’s perseverance throughout her journey and stand by her side while she fought on. Stephanie taught all of us to live happily and cherish each moment we get with each other,\" Alabama's Million Dollar Band Color Guard wrote on Facebook Tuesday. \"While her time with us was short, the legacy she left this team with will continue on for centuries.\"
\"I know she's waving her flag in heaven, rooting for Alabama,\" Cartagena’s father, Carlos, told WPMI.
Cartagena was rushed to surgery in 2016 after a period of migraines and vomiting, and was diagnosed with a brain tumor before undergoing a 10-hour surgery, according to CollegeMarching.com
Ever the fighter, she was still driven to travel with the band to the Peach Bowl and even to the National Championship last season, the site reported.
“In December of 2016, after the Iron Bowl, she had her first surgery and right after that, she wanted to go to the National Championship,” Cartagena’s mother Maybel Dunaway told WPMI.
“The first thing she told them after the surgery was I want to be there for the color guard and she was there for the game.”
Stephanie had another surgery in the spring and trained with the band in the summer of 2017, and did as much as she could for the fall season, CollegeMarching.com reported, even winning the Chirs Hainsey: Ultimate Team Player award.
But when another tumor was found around Thanksgiving, the family knew there was only so much fighting left to do.
In her obituary, Cartagena was described as \"a woman filled with light\" who \"touched the heart and souls of every person she came in contact with.\"
\"The person she was here at Davidson and I hear the same statements from people at Bama, that she affected people positively and just someone you want to be around,\" Cartagena's former high school band director Tim Beattie told Fox 10.
Cartagena may not have been with the band when they pushed the Crimson Tide to their win Monday, but the band and her color guard family were with her in spirit.
\"“I tell the students in the band that when we’re recruiting students and parents, yes, it’s important that we march well and play well, but the network of friends and family that you develop in an organization like this is probably the most important reason to be in it,” Million Dollar Band director Ken Ozello told WVUA 23.
“And the Million Dollar Band family was able to give Stephanie and her family a good deal of support through such trying times.”
Visitation for Stephanie will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home at 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Alabama 36605. A funeral mass will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Pine Crest Funeral Home.
\n","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"193889839","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/latest-news/44m6te/picture193889839","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"steph.JPG","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/7067","modified_date":1515587160,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1515587160,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/latest-news/44m6te/picture193889839/alternates/FREE_1140/steph.JPG","href":"/web/v1/content/193889839","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["7067"],"credit":"Special to the Ledger-Enquirer","dateline":"","caption":"Stephanie Cartagena, a member of the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band color guard, passed away from cancer hours before the championship win.","photographer":"FOX 10 Screenshot/Broadcast","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/latest-news/44m6te/picture193889839/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/steph.JPG"},{"id":"193679689","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article193679689.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Tua Daze: Backup quarterback leads Alabama to CFP championship game victory","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1515525510,"published_date":1515481440,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/t0dx21/picture193679684/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/2bwins","authors":[{"name":"Jordan D. Hill","email":"jhill@ledger-enquirer.com"}],"keywords":"tua, tagovailoa, alabama, crimson, tide, georgia, bulldogs, cfp, college, football, playoff, nick, saban, jalen, hurts, devonta, smith","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","7065","7067"],"credit":"","dateline":"ATLANTA","summary":"A true freshman quarterback led his team to victory in the national title game. The twist was it wasn’t the true freshman most would have anticipated.","content":"
On Monday, a true freshman quarterback led his team to victory in the 2018 College Football Playoff championship game. The twist was it wasn’t the true freshman most would have anticipated.
While Georgia trotted out Jake Fromm behind center once again, the Crimson Tide brought out their own true freshman after a lackluster first half and saw an offensive turnaround. Backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa reignited a sluggish Alabama offense, completing 14 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
With Tagovailoa on the field, Alabama outscored Georgia 26-10 in the second half and overtime, those final six being on a 41-yard touchdown pass to seal an unforgettable 26-23 victory.
“We needed a spark,” offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman said. “Tua gave us a little spark, and we rolled with it. We fed off him and let him take control.”
There was no semblance of a spark in the first half of play from Jalen Hurts, who struggled to the tune of 3-of-8 passing for 21 yards. The Alabama offense couldn’t muster any points in a nightmarish first half, which ended with Georgia leading 13-0.
Tagovailoa said that as the Alabama players gathered in the locker room at halftime, head coach Nick Saban brought the quarterbacks together. That’s when Saban told his true freshman he would be leading the way after the intermission.
“I felt like that we’ve had this in our mind that, if we were struggling offensively, we would give Tua an opportunity, even in the last game,” Saban said. “I just didn’t feel like we could run the ball well enough, and I thought Tua would give us a better chance and a spark.”
Though he was unexpectedly thrust into the Crimson Tide’s biggest game, Tagovailoa looked anything but uncomfortable. Tagovailoa immediately showed he was capable on the field, making play after play to cut into Georgia’s once-comfortable lead.
Perhaps no moment illustrated what Tagovailoa was about to do better than his run with 10:17 left in the third quarter. Facing a third-and-7, Tagovailoa scrambled to his right, where he was met by three hard-charging Bulldogs. Instead of going down, Tagovailoa bounced off Georgia defensive lineman Trenton Thompson, reversed course to his left and picked up nine yards to move the chains.
That play was a gut punch for the worn-down Bulldogs’ defense, but it was nothing like the knockout blow Tagovailoa delivered in overtime.
After being sacked for a 16-yard loss on the Alabama offense’s first play of overtime, Tagovailoa delivered the throw of his young career. He delivered an absolute dart down the left side of the field to DeVonta Smith, who made the catch to score and secure the victory.
Tagovailoa’s composure immediately after a play that put Alabama in serious jeopardy did not go unnoticed by some of the older Alabama players.
“Like a veteran, isn’t it?” junior wide receiver Calvin Ridley said. “It was crazy. We practice so hard in those type of situations. He’s been in situations like that in practice. He made a play.”
What reeked as potential desperation by Saban to start the second half turned out to be yet another ingenious move by the legendary head coach. Tagovailoa turned the tide for Alabama and in the process became the first backup quarterback to enter during a championship game and win since Colorado’s Charles Johnson in the 1991 Orange Bowl.
\n","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"193679684","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/t0dx21/picture193679684","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"2bwins","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","modified_date":1515525509,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1515481325,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/t0dx21/picture193679684/alternates/FREE_1140/2bwins","href":"/web/v1/content/193679684","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945"],"credit":"AP","dateline":"","caption":"Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa congratulates Henry Ruggs III (11) after his touchdown catch during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Georgia, Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)","photographer":"David J. Phillip","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/t0dx21/picture193679684/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/2bwins"},{"id":"193680534","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article193680534.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Columbus native Mekhi Brown redeems himself after sideline blow-up","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1515514327,"published_date":1515483480,"thumbnail":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/5615998039001/a2604dc4-135f-4426-91e3-e2a8c8df9ef5/6331467c-92c1-4a26-95ea-05789d4c197b/160x90/match/image.jpg","authors":[{"name":"Jordan D. Hill","email":"jhill@ledger-enquirer.com"}],"keywords":"mekhi, brown, alabama, crimson, tide, sideline, blowup, fight, argument, carver, high, school, tigers, georgia, bulldogs, national, championship, game,","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","7065","7067","28921"],"credit":"","dateline":"ATLANTA","summary":"For a while, Columbus native and Alabama linebacker Mekhi Brown gained Internet fame for all the wrong reasons.","content":"
For a while, Columbus native and Alabama linebacker Mekhi Brown gained Internet fame for all the wrong reasons. Luckily for the redshirt sophomore, he made amends for his mistake and came up with a nice play to boot.
Brown was tagged with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the third quarter of Monday’s CFP national championship game against Georgia. To make matters worse, Brown got into an argument with a coach that cameras quickly caught, which led to a lot of negative attention for the former Carver Tiger.
After the 26-20 overtime victory, Brown was asked about what happened. Brown wouldn’t go into detail about what set him off but did say he made sure to take care of the situation.
“Me and the coach, we talked about it,” Brown said. “I said I was sorry, and he apologized to me, too. We were both good from there. I didn’t do none of the stuff people were saying on the Internet. I just had to make it up for the team. I didn’t want to be the reason we lost.”
To Brown’s credit, he delivered after a fourth-quarter Alabama field goal left the Crimson Tide down 20-13. Georgia’s Mecole Hardman dared to take the ball out of the end zone on the resulting kick return, and Brown came barreling in, leveling Hardman on the Georgia 14-yard line.
The ensuing Georgia possession was a quick three-and-out.
“When they ran (the kickoff) to my side, I was like, ‘I have to make a play,’” Brown said.
The Crimson Tide’s victory gave Brown his second national championship, though his first came in his redshirt freshman year. Brown explained that while the previous title was nice, it paled in comparison to this one.
“My first one was amazing, but playing in this one felt great,” Brown said. “Knowing that I was part in why we won the game is crazy. It feels great.”
Of course, his ties to the state of Georgia made things that much sweeter.
“It’s so good because we beat a Georgia team,” Brown said. “We beat my state. It just feels amazing. All I could do on the field was cry.”
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Former Carver Tiger Mekhi Brown’s time at Alabama has been a steady progression through three years. While his best football as part of the Crimson Tide is ahead of him, Brown is eager to show off his stuff back in his home state.
Brown, a redshirt sophomore at Alabama, will take the field Monday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Crimson Tide fight for their second national title since Brown joined the team. It’s games like the one he’ll suit up for hours from now that led Brown to commit to Alabama as a sophomore at Carver and ultimately stick by that decision.
“We’re used to it,” Brown said of the big-game atmosphere. “We try to take every game the same. We don’t make one game bigger than any other game.”
Brown was a defensive force back in Columbus, which earned him a four-star rating across the board. His 6-foot-6, 220-pound frame coupled with his knack for being in the right place at the right time drew a lot of attention and ultimately earned him a spot in the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
“You weren’t running that way,” said Joe Kegler, who was Brown’s head coach at Carver. “He did a great job of anchoring that edge and making sure he turned plays back inside to our linebackers. He was always an impact player making big plays for us.”
By Brown’s own account, his time at Alabama has been a constant build-up.
Brown redshirted in 2015, which allowed him to learn from elite coaches and some of the top defensive players in the country. He found the field in three games down the stretch of his redshirt freshman season, playing against Mississippi State, Chattanooga and Florida in the SEC Championship Game.
This year, Brown has played in 11 of the Crimson Tide’s 13 games, registering multiple tackles against Colorado State and Mercer. He pulled down Clemson kick returner Travis Etienne in the Crimson Tide’s blowout win to open its College Football Playoff run.
Brown said he’s improved in his coverage ability and added to his catalogue of pass-rush moves. He also explained it didn’t take long to realize the commitment he had to make to grow his game.
“I realized my first two years that you’ve got to make it your priority. If you don’t watch film every day or don’t work on yourself every day, it’s not going to work out,” Brown said. “It’s pretty much how it’s been -- just trying to take everything that comes to me and doing the best I can.”
Brown’s improvements have caught members of the team’s attention. Outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi spoke highly of his development, saying he’s seen steady improvement from him this year. Senior inside linebacker Rashaan Evans also had high praise for his teammate, saying he sees Brown breaking through as a junior.
“I feel like next year is definitely going to be his year,” Evans said. “He’s a long-length athlete who can run. I feel like right now he’s able to go through the things that I kind of went through, to be honest with you. I think now he understands that next year -- whenever he does have the biggest opportunity of his life -- he’ll take full advantage of it.”
While the future is promising for Brown, he’s fully concentrated on ending this season on the right note. He said he looks forward to facing off with the Bulldogs and is intent on showing what happens when you face Alabama with a national title on the line.
“It’s going to feel good beating Georgia,” Brown said. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
\n","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"193429619","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/kaqli4/picture193429619","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"IMG_1227","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","modified_date":1515346615,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1515346493,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/kaqli4/picture193429619/alternates/FREE_1140/IMG_1227","href":"/web/v1/content/193429619","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945"],"credit":"jhill@ledger-enquirer.com","dateline":"","caption":"Former Carver standout Mekhi Brown, shown here at the National Championship Media Day in Atlanta, has consistently improved his game while at Alabama","photographer":"Jordan D. Hill","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/kaqli4/picture193429619/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/IMG_1227"},{"id":"193364344","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article193364344.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Central alum Markail Benton growing game as true freshman at Alabama","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1515273910,"published_date":1515273900,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/i64s4d/picture193364339/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/NSD%20Markail%20Benton%20Central","authors":[{"name":"Jordan D. Hill","email":"jhill@ledger-enquirer.com"}],"keywords":"markail, benton, central, red, devils, alabama, crimson, tide, national, championship, game, phenix, city, jamey, dubose","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","28954","7065","7067"],"credit":"","dateline":"Atlanta ","summary":"Central’s Markail Benton might not see the field in Alabama’s national championship game Monday, but that shouldn’t overshadow Benton’s work in 2017.","content":"
Former Central linebacker Markail Benton might not see the field in Alabama’s national championship game Monday, but that shouldn’t overshadow Benton’s progress in 2017.
Benton is on track to redshirt in his freshman season with the Crimson Tide. The year has been one full of new lessons for Benton, who joined Alabama as a four-star linebacker in the Class of 2017.
“It’s been pretty good, watching these guys play football,” Benton said. “I’ve been learning the plays and taking classes. I’ve been having a good time.”
Benton said he’s gotten more physical in his first year at Alabama, adding that he’s also improved using his hands at the linebacker spot. Alabama outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi spoke highly of Benton’s progress from the fall up to this point.
“He’s been in the mix for us with the amount of injuries we’ve had,” Lupoi said. “He’s been preparing and practicing, and he’s approached it the right way with some hunger. It’s been good to see him grow up in a number of ways and mature throughout this season.”
Benton spoke highly of his time at Central, saying his time as a Red Devil turned him into who he is today. He said he came to Alabama because of the program’s status and the elite coaching staff, and the season has allowed him to learn more about both.
Benton said he was excited to see Alabama reach the national championship game in his freshman campaign.
“It means a lot to me,” Benton said. “I’ve never won a championship, so hopefully this will be my first one.”
Even though Benton may end his freshman season without playing a game, Lupoi sure made it sound like he is on the right track.
“I think he’s got a bright future with us,” Lupoi said.
\n","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"193364339","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/i64s4d/picture193364339","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"NSD Markail Benton Central","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","modified_date":1515273797,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1515273700,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/i64s4d/picture193364339/alternates/FREE_1140/NSD%20Markail%20Benton%20Central","href":"/web/v1/content/193364339","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945"],"credit":"","dateline":"","caption":"Former Central Red Devil Markail Benton, shown here signing with Alabama last February, is growing his game in his first year with the Crimson Tide","photographer":"ROBIN TRIMARCHI","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/i64s4d/picture193364339/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/NSD%20Markail%20Benton%20Central"},{"id":"176526636","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article176526636.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Young Alabama fan has dream day in Tuscaloosa after rare tumor diagnosis","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28816","home_section":{"name":"Local","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/"},"modified_date":1506953329,"published_date":1506953329,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/s89zse/picture176526616/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/22046585_1762016514098621_9124235397886391420_n","authors":[{"name":"Lauren Gorla","email":"lgorla@ledger-enquirer.com"}],"keywords":"alabama, football, nick saban, dipg, aubreigh, aubrey, aubree, ole miss, tuscaloosa, aubreigh's army, tumor, you caring, jalen hurts, university","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28816","7067","28945"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"The University of Alabama helped Aubreigh Nicholas have every football fan’s dream day in Tuscaloosa where she met head coach Nick Saban. Aubreigh suffers from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).","content":"
The University of Alabama helped a young girl’s dream come true this weekend with a football-filled Saturday in Tuscaloosa.
Aubreigh Nicholas, 10 of Semmes, Ala., “has a die hard allegiance to SEC football,” according to a post on the Aubreigh’s Army Facebook page.
She also suffers from a rare disease tumor as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). According to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, DIPG is a type of tumor that starts in the brain stem, which controls breathing, heart rate and the nerves and muscles used for seeing, hearing, walking and talking.
Aubreigh was diagnosed with DIPG only a few weeks ago on Sept. 12, according to a You Caring page started to help with medical costs.
Thanks to “Bama Nation” and the University of Alabama, Aubreigh and her family were able to tour the football facilities before Saturday’s game and meet mascot Big Al, the cheerleading team and a few football players.
She was also able to spend a few minutes with head coach Nick Saban.
“Army, wrapping up a very busy football day. Can't say enough about the Army, the Bama Nation and the University of Alabama for making a reality out of what was a week ago a long shot dream. Aubreigh like so many of our little girls has a die hard allegiance to SEC football. What the Tide and the University did today, beyond words,” the post reads.
\n
Aubreigh also gave quarterback Jalen Hurts an “Aubreigh’s Army” bracelet, which he wore during the game against Ole Miss.
Many Alabama players honored another young child with cancer during Saturday’s game by wearing sweatbands reading “RIP CAM.”
According to 247Sports, Cameron Pruitt, 13 of Northport, Ala., passed away Friday after battling cancer since the age of 5.
Hurts in particular had a strong relationship with Cameron, telling 247Sports he had visited the boy four or five times in the past two weeks.
“When I’m down or something or something’s on my mind, just be strong and get through it because Cam did it. So, why can’t I?” Hurts said.
","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"176526616","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/s89zse/picture176526616","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"22046585_1762016514098621_9124235397886391420_n","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28816","modified_date":1506953328,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1506953328,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/s89zse/picture176526616/alternates/FREE_1140/22046585_1762016514098621_9124235397886391420_n","href":"/web/v1/content/176526616","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28816"],"credit":"Special to the Ledger-Enquirer","dateline":"","caption":"Aubreigh Nicholas was able to meet with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban before Saturday’s game against Ole Miss.","photographer":"Aubreigh’s Army","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/s89zse/picture176526616/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/22046585_1762016514098621_9124235397886391420_n"},{"id":"152475794","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article152475794.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Alabama fires baseball coach Gregg Goff after first season","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1495665591,"published_date":1495665591,"keywords":"gregg goff, alabama, baseball, crimson tide, sec, Greg Byrne","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","28921"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"According to news reports, Goff told a number of returning players their scholarship money would not be renewed — a violation of NCAA rules.","content":"
TUSCALOOSA -- After the worst Southeastern Conference season in modern history and amid attempted NCAA wrongdoing, Alabama fired first-year baseball coach Greg Goff on Wednesday, the first coaching change in athletic director Greg Byrne’s tenure.
“We felt this was the best decision going forward for our baseball program, and that’s why we made the decision,” Byrne said Wednesday in his first public news conference since being named athletic director in March. “When you look at these situations when it comes to coaches and you decide what is the best long-term solution for the program. Not based off of the season or anything like that, it’s based off of the long-term health of the program.”
As first reported by The Tuscaloosa News late Tuesday night and later confirmed by The Anniston Star, Goff told a number of returning players during exit meetings their scholarship money would not be renewed next season. If that would have taken place, it is a direct violation of two NCAA bylaws the prohibit schools from rescinding or pulling scholarships.
NCAA Bylaw 15.3.5.2 states “institutions cannot revoke or reduce a scholarship because of an athlete’s ability, performance, physical or mental condition.” Bylaw 15.3.4.3.1 says an institution may not set forth an athletically related condition that would permit the institution to reduce or cancel a scholarship if the conditions are not satisfied.
Asked directly if NCAA violations occurred, Byrne said there were none.
“The young men on our baseball team who have scholarships, their scholarships will be honored,” Byrne said.
Byrne fired Goff without cause, meaning he is owed the remainder of his base salary — $265,000 per year — for the next four years, totaling $1,060,000.
Hired by former Crimson Tide athletic director Bill Battle after a two-year resurrection of Louisiana Tech’s baseball program, Goff signed a five-year deal last June that paid him a total of $450,000, including talent fees.
Goff had previous head-coaching stops at Campbell and Montevallo, where he developed a knack for lackluster first seasons before revitalizing the program. At all three stops, Goff endured seasons under .500 before producing 40-win clubs.
He’ll get no such chance in Tuscaloosa, where Goff endured incessant social media criticism as the season spiraled into humiliation, which Byrne subtly addressed Wednesday.
“I think it’s really important as a program, as a university, as a family that whoever our next coach is that we’re patient through the process,” Byrne said. “We have to have stability in our coaching staffs going forward, that’s very important. This is very unique, but this is important going forward that we have that in mind in what we do.
As recently as last week, Byrne reaffirmed his faith in Goff, a man whom he did not hire.
“The important part is that you feel like you’re putting yourself in a position to compete for championships,” Byrne told The Anniston Star before his tee time at the Regions Tradition Pro-Am last Tuesday. “... I think what they’re doing from a building a foundation, from a recruiting standpoint, we’re putting ourselves in that position.”
Alabama then ended the season with an embarrassing series loss at Vanderbilt — where it was outscored 31-2 in the first two games — to ensure the worst Southeastern Conference season in modern history. Its 24 conference losses are a new program record and the 19 wins the fewest since 1980.
“I don’t want to get into specifics with the meeting or incidents of any kind,” Byrne said. “But we continue to evaluate just as we did throughout the season, as we ended the season, and we went into the last couple of days and felt this was the right decision for the long-term health of the program.”
Assistant coach Terry Rooney, a former LSU assistant and head coach at Central Florida, was named the program’s interim head coach. Byrne said “there were no discussions” with Rooney regarding his candidacy for the full-time position.
Byrne informed players of the decision at a 1 p.m. meeting at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, after which they were not permitted to speak to reporters.
“Unfortunately I’ve done this a few times, and it’s usually a similar response — there’s looks of concern and I hope they would be concerned,” Byrne said. “We’ve got a bunch of good young men on our team, and I told them we’d go out and get them the best baseball coach that we can.”
","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":""},{"id":"145983339","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article145983339.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Saban on A-Day Game: don’t give real opponents any help preparing","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1492798257,"published_date":1492798000,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/vmwet0/picture145983334/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/Alabama%20Practice%20Football","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","28921"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"Saban’s first A-Day packed 95,000 people inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, all there to recognize the beginning of his resurrection of their football program. It has established the standard to which all spring games must adhere, Saban says. ESPN will televise Alabama’s game, scheduled for a 2 p.m. Saturday kickoff.","content":"
TUSCALOOSA — Minkah Fitzpatrick needed little time to think.
How much, a reporter asked, of Alabama’s offensive playbook — one overhauled by new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and catered to quarterback Jalen Hurts’ progression as a dropback passer — would be seen Saturday when the Crimson Tide take the field for A-Day?
“Not a whole lot,” Fitzpatrick said, almost before the question ended.
But what about on defense — the unit tasked with replacing five starters and one coach Nick Saban’s repeatedly maligned for its performance this spring against that aforementioned offense?
“Nope,” Fitzpatrick said.
Saban’s first A-Day packed 95,000 people inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, all there to recognize the beginning of his resurrection of their football program. It has established the standard to which all spring games must adhere, Saban says.
“Because of that, Saban said Thursday, “now everybody tries to promote their spring game to get as big a crowd as they can as if that’s going to be something that’s going to help them promote promote the kind of energy and enthusiasm to catapult their program forward.”
Schools now market these glorified scrimmages as weekend-long affairs, inviting former players back to campus while enticing national television audiences with the scent of college football four and a half months before the games begin.
ESPN will televise Alabama’s game, scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
It creates a conundrum for the Crimson Tide. It will run the first-team offense against the first-team defense, balancing a need to test its new scheme under some semblance of game conditions while knowing every step is broadcasted to many analytical eyes 133 days before it opens the season against Florida State.
“My theory on it is we want to stay basic to try to get better execution with the players, especially some of the other guys, the backup players that don’t have the knowledge or experience,” Saban said in his final news conference before A-Day. “But the second part of that is it would be very foolish to do things that are new to our offense that we would show our opponents that we play early in the season by doing them in the spring game.”
Saban welcomes the exposure. He said as much Thursday, even listing ESPN’s broadcast team. It’s the nature of what that afternoon 11 years ago manifested.
A steak dinner awaits the winning team. Losers eat pork and beans. Saban, the self-appointed commissioner, can “manipulate my way to whichever side of the room I like,” an ode to his true attitude toward what the scoreboard reads.
“I’ve been coaching for a long time,” Saban said. “I can’t tell you who won last year’s spring game, I really don’t ever remember losing one, so if the goal of spring practice is to play better in the season, why would we do anything that would enhance our opponents’ ability to prepare for us?”
","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"145983334","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/vmwet0/picture145983334","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"Alabama Practice Football","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","modified_date":1492798244,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1492798244,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/vmwet0/picture145983334/alternates/FREE_1140/Alabama%20Practice%20Football","href":"/web/v1/content/145983334","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945"],"credit":"AP","dateline":"","photographer":"VASHA HUNT","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/vmwet0/picture145983334/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/Alabama%20Practice%20Football"},{"id":"130087529","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article130087529.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Four-star RB Brian Robinson not afraid of competition at Alabama","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1485982978,"published_date":1485975938,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/v4ees1/picture130087524/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/Signing%20Day%20Alabama%20Football","keywords":"brian, robinson, alabama, crimson, tide, football, signing, day, tuscaloosa","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","7065","28921"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"Brian Robinson, a Tuscaloosa native, signed his National Letter of Intent to Alabama in front of a packed library at Hillcrest High School on Wednesday as part of National Signing Day. Donning a red Alabama cap over his dreadlocks, which were also dyed red, Robinson said he was taking the first step toward achieving a childhood dream.","content":"
TUSCALOOSA — Go ahead and sleep on Brian Robinson. Tell him he’ll never see the field at Alabama and question his decision to sign with the Crimson Tide despite its already loaded backfield.
The four-star running back can’t wait to prove you wrong.
Robinson, a Tuscaloosa native, signed his National Letter of Intent to Alabama in front of a packed library at Hillcrest High School on Wednesday as part of National Signing Day. Donning a red Alabama cap over his dreadlocks, which were also dyed red, Robinson said he was taking the first step toward achieving a childhood dream.
“It’s a great feeling, you’re two minutes away from home, where you grew up,” Robinson said. “You're two minutes away from the stadium where Alabama plays. Just being in a position to have an opportunity to play, it’s just a blessing.”
Robinson, 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, is rated as the No. 150 player and No. 8 running back in the 2017 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Despite his talent, earning early playing time will be a challenge. Robinson enters an Alabama backfield that is returning all three of its top running backs from last season in Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Josh Jacobs.
The hometown star has also seen his recruitment overshadowed by the nation’s No. 3 overall player and No. 2 running back Najee Harris, who joined Alabama as an early enrollee earlier this month. With Harris stealing most of the headlines, many have dubbed Robinson a possible “sleeper” in this year’s class.
As far as Robinson’s concerned, that’s quite alright with him.
“I love that title because being the underdog, that’s no problem with me,” Robinson said. “I don’t mind being the underdog. Me being the sleeper in my class, I just got to prove a lot of people wrong. That’s all that is.”
Robinson sees himself as a similar back to Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, saying, like Bell, he also offers the complete package in the backfield. At Hillcrest, Robinson showed an ability to not only run past defenders but also catch passes out of the backfield and help out as a blocker.
“I can bring different styles of running to the game depending on what you need me for,” Robinson said. “I feel like I can bring any role on the offensive side. Coach (Nick) Saban said that it’s easy to base an offense around a running back that can do everything, so we’ll just have to see.”
Robinson picked Alabama over offers from other finalists Georgia, Auburn and Ole Miss.
“It feels good to have him play in his hometown,” Robinson’s mother Kimberly Little said. “It’s been his dream since he was in little league. It’s good for me because we’re at home and I’ll be able to attend all of his games. We’ve always been Alabama fans, and he’s always dreamt of playing the Crimson Tide. His dream has come true today.”
","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"130087524","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/v4ees1/picture130087524","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"Signing Day Alabama Football","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","modified_date":1485982977,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1485982977,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/v4ees1/picture130087524/alternates/FREE_1140/Signing%20Day%20Alabama%20Football","href":"/web/v1/content/130087524","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945"],"credit":"AP","dateline":"","caption":"Hillcrest High School running back Brian Robinson wears a University of Alabama sweatshirt as he gets set to speak with the media after committing to the Crimson Tide on national signing day, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.","photographer":"Gary Cosby Jr.","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/v4ees1/picture130087524/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/Signing%20Day%20Alabama%20Football"},{"id":"130045794","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/article130045794.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Central’s Markail Benton stands by commitment, signs with Alabama","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28921","home_section":{"name":"Sports","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/"},"modified_date":1485982737,"published_date":1485967974,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/nlfmcl/picture130045779/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/IMG_5362","keywords":"Central, high, school, football, recruiting, national, signing, day, Markail, Benton, Alabama, Crimson, Tide, Nick, Saban, SEC, football","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28921","28954","7065","7067","28945"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"Central linebacker Markail Benton turned down a late push from Auburn and signed with the Alabama Crimson Tide on National Signing Day.","content":"
Central linebacker Markail Benton’s play on the field is often wild and unpredictable. His final decision on National Signing Day, however, was anything but.
Benton stuck by the verbal commitment he made last June and officially signed with the Alabama Crimson Tide on Wednesday. The four-star linebacker is locked into an Alabama recruiting class that is sure to be considered among the best in the nation at day’s end.
Once Benton put pen to paper, his younger brother let out a “Roll Tide” into the microphone in front of him. Based on Benton’s own words, it sounded like he was excited enough to do the same.
“It’s a wonderful feeling,” Benton said. “I can’t ask for anything else. There’s just something about Alabama that makes me feel so good about them. It feels like family when I’m up at Alabama.”
Benton raised some eyebrows over the weekend when he took a last-minute official visit to Auburn. Benton said he sat down with Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn and talked things over. Without providing specifics, Benton said the discussion made him think twice about what he would do.
In the end, it was the man in charge of the Crimson Tide that convinced him to stick with his word.
“I thought about (flipping) for a second,” Benton said. “(The deciding factor was) Coach Saban. He’s a great head coach.”
The 6-foot-2, 237-pound linebacker had no shortage of options to choose from. Benton had 19 scholarship offers on the table, which included Alabama, Auburn and other schools such as Clemson, Florida State and Georgia.
From Central head coach Jamey DuBose’s perspective, there’s no doubting why so many schools came calling for Benton.
“He’s a dynamic player,” DuBose said. “He’s got all the intangibles that everybody’s looking for. He’s just got to get into their scheme of things, learn their terminology and earn his stripes. Going to Alabama is not an easy thing.”
DuBose said many players may opt to avoid the challenge of competing for playing time at Alabama, which is an obstacle Benton addressed after he signed. He said his mentality is that he has to compete against the best daily in order to reach the level he aspires to.
It’s no small task, but Benton was quick to point out the window of opportunity he sees in Tuscaloosa.
“The defense they just had has guys leaving, guys like Reuben Foster,” Benton said. “It will take a lot to feel his shoes, but one day I hope to get there.”
Benton said he’s highly anticipating his arrival at Alabama and is looking forward to delivering another Crimson Tide national title. He said he plans on majoring in sports medicine once school starts in the fall and is excited to get his collegiate career started.
“It’s a kid’s dream, to play at the University of Alabama,” Benton said. “I’ve always wanted to play with Alabama since I was young. They won back in the day, and they’re still winning now.”
","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"130045779","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/nlfmcl/picture130045779","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"IMG_5362","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28921","modified_date":1485982736,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1485967974,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/nlfmcl/picture130045779/alternates/FREE_1140/IMG_5362","href":"/web/v1/content/130045779","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28921"],"credit":"jhill@ledger-enquirer.com","dateline":"","caption":"Central linebacker Markail Benton signs with Alabama.","photographer":"Jordan D. Hill","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/nlfmcl/picture130045779/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/IMG_5362"},{"id":"127903204","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/high-school/article127903204.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"Alabama’s Nick Saban, FSU’s Jimbo Fisher drop by Central High","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28954","home_section":{"name":"High School Sports","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/high-school/"},"modified_date":1485032613,"published_date":1485010939,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/high-school/fe34vu/picture127903199/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/IMG_6554%20(1)","keywords":"nick, saban, jimbo, fisher, phenix, central, high, school, football, alabama, florida, state, Jamey, DuBose ","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28954","7065","28921","28945"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher dropped by Central to check on the Red Devils’ talent.","content":"
Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher will meet when the Crimson Tide and the Seminoles play in the 2017 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game come September. Thanks to a recruiting trip to Central High School last week, the two men didn’t have to wait until fall to cross paths again.
Saban and Fisher were on hand at Central on Jan. 12 as the latest recruiting session is in progress. With National Signing Day coming on Feb. 1, Saban and Fisher are active on the recruiting trail just like all college football head coaches now that the 2016 season is over.
“We get a lot of coaches in, but it’s kind of unusual when you get two head coaches in at the same time,” Central head coach Jamey DuBose said. “Both coaches are tremendous recruiters. We have a lot of high-profile athletes who do well, and they try to drop in and check on guys who have either signed with them or check on some future recruits from me.”
DuBose explained that two Red Devils players were the focus of the coaches’ attentions.
Outside linebacker Markail Benton has been committed to the Crimson Tide since June, and the visit allowed Saban to catch up on the four-star before Signing Day and Fisher a chance to let Benton know the Seminoles are still interested. The two coaches also were looking at rising senior wide receiver Justyn Ross, who is considered a four-star receiver and the top Class of 2018 player in Alabama, according to the 247Sports Composite.
“We actually had not gotten complete clearance on the building, but we were able to show both coaches through,” DuBose said. “I think both coaches said it’s probably one of the nicest facilities, if not the nicest facility anywhere in this state or any neighboring state.”
Although he admitted the presence of both at the same time was unusual, DuBose explained the coaches stopping by is just par for the course this time of year. He said leading up to National Signing Day, Central averages about four or five college coaches a day, with that number getting as high as 15. He explained the need to be on call as a high school head coach and always ready to provide information in hopes of getting your players recognized.
Even with coaching visits as a regular occurrence, the arrival of Saban and Fisher eight months before they face off struck DuBose as an unusual twist in the recruiting realm.
“It’s kind of weird that those two guys were in there at the same time,” DuBose said. “I told someone it would have made for a great media day.”
","template_type":"","story_teaser":"","lead_media":{"id":"127903199","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/high-school/fe34vu/picture127903199","asset_type":"picture","state":"published","title":"IMG_6554 (1)","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"","home":"/web/v1/sections/28954","modified_date":1485032613,"allow_comments":false,"published_date":1485010939,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/high-school/fe34vu/picture127903199/alternates/FREE_1140/IMG_6554%20(1)","href":"/web/v1/content/127903199","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28954"],"credit":"","dateline":"","caption":"Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, left, and Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher","photographer":"Courtesy Randy Wilkes","is_mugshot":false,"text_alignment":"Default","summary":"","byline":"","kicker":""},"owner":"Columbus","allow_comments":true,"image":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/high-school/fe34vu/picture127903199/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/IMG_6554%20(1)"},{"id":"127774279","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/article127774279.html","asset_type":"story","state":"published","title":"New entries into rivalry grasping the ’Bama-Auburn feel","publication":"ledger-enquirer","layout_option":"none","home":"/web/v1/sections/28945","home_section":{"name":"University of Alabama","url":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/"},"modified_date":1484949986,"published_date":1484949940,"thumbnail":"https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/college/sec/university-of-alabama/ds85os/picture127774274/alternates/LANDSCAPE_768/LSU%20Auburn%20Basketball","keywords":"auburn, tigers, alabama, bama, crimson, tide, mens, basketball","access_tags":["matbasic"],"additional_sections":["28945","28939","28921"],"credit":"","dateline":"","summary":"Alabama forward Riley Norris tried to explain the Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry to teammate Ar’Mond Davis recently. The attempt ended with Davis laughing it off and continuing with his carefree nature. He knows the second Davis walks into Auburn Arena on Saturday it will hit him pretty quick.","content":"
TUSCALOOSA — Alabama forward Riley Norris tried to explain the Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry to teammate Ar’Mond Davis recently. The attempt ended with Davis laughing it off and continuing with his carefree nature.
Norris, from Albertville, said it’s hard to get across the true magnitude of the rivalry, especially to someone like Davis who grew up in Tacoma, Wash. Norris isn’t worried, though. He knows the second Davis walks into Auburn Arena on Saturday it will hit him pretty quick.
“He’ll figure it out in warmups,” Norris said. “When we go out there and he sees how hostile it really is.”
Alabama (11-6, 4-1 in the SEC) will travel to Auburn (12-6, 2-4) for a 3 p.m. tipoff on Saturday in the two schools’ first meeting on the court this year.
Davis isn’t the only person that didn’t grasp the rivalry right away. Alabama head coach Avery Johnson said he has a better understanding of the magnitude of the game after coaching through it last year in his first season with the Crimson Tide.
Johnson lost in his first meeting against the Tigers, falling 83-77 in Auburn Arena last year. The Tide avenged the loss later in the season with a 65-57 win in Tuscaloosa, but Johnson still remembers what it feels like to be on the wrong side of a rivalry defeat.
“I’m even more excited about this game than I was last year, because I didn’t quite understand it,” Johnson said. “That empty feeling that I had in my stomach after the game, I know what that feels like now.”
While the Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry is intense in every sport, things seem to be heating up on the hardwood. With Johnson in his second season at Alabama and Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl in his third season with the Tigers, both appear to have their programs pointed in the right direction.
As far as Johnson said, that’s a good thing for him. In fact, when the Tigers aren’t playing the Tide, he is usually pulling for them to do well.
“It’s important to have our basketball programs get to an elite level,” Johnson said. “I’ve shared this with Bruce (Pearl), we can have all the success in the world, but we have to get to the tournament at some point. I think that’s going to improve our rivalry.”
The NCAA Tournament is still an attainable goal for both teams. However, Johnson said his team is focused on what’s in front of them right now. The head coach said he likes to break up conference play into three-game seasons and stated his team’s approach will be finishing out its second season of the year on Saturday.
For Alabama, stopping Auburn centers around slowing down freshman guard Mustapha Heron, who leads the Tigers with 15.7 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game. Auburn has also added an inside punch with the addition of freshman center Austin Wiley. The former five-star recruit from Spain Park was cleared to play by the NCAA and SEC in December and has provided an instant spark for the Tigers.
“He’s physical, he’s always attacking the basket,” Alabama forward Jimmie Taylor said. “He plays great defense, I think he’s a great defensive player. I think he’s added more competitiveness to their team from what I’ve seen.”
The Tigers could also see the return of forward Danjel Purifoy, who missed the last three games after suffering a severe left ankle sprain against Ole Miss on Jan. 7.
“He practiced yesterday for the first time,” Pearl said via the Montgomery Advertiser. “We’re going to see how he responded to that (Friday) with the swelling. I don’t think the trainers have made a decision on that yet but I think there’s a chance he could play (Saturday).”
Alabama enters Saturday’s game winning six of its last seven games. A win would give the Tide its first three-game road winning streak to begin SEC play since winning three consecutive league road games to begin the 1987 season.
“They are playing well as of late, so we know that with that their crowd is going to be really into it,” Norris said of Auburn. “They’re really excited about basketball down there. We’re going to have to really come prepared and bring our best game.”
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