Cover1Key
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Check his Sophomore season, not a jamboree.
1
re: Class of 2026 Football Recruiting
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/29/26 at 2:56 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
Haven is an animal. Saw him in person 3 times. Made U-High (University Lab) School look silly. They had Lamar Brown (#1 DT), Dylan Moses’ younger brother (LSU LB signee) and 4 other
D-1 signees on that defense and Elijah has no one around him at all. He was the definition of a one man team. That was U-High’s only loss (they beat Catholic High and Central High who are 2 of the very best teams in all of the State). Without Haven, they wouldn’t have crossed midfield. Instant pressure on him as soon as the ball was snapped every single play and zero running game. TIFWIW but he was the most impressive individual player I’ve seen from Louisiana in a long time.
D-1 signees on that defense and Elijah has no one around him at all. He was the definition of a one man team. That was U-High’s only loss (they beat Catholic High and Central High who are 2 of the very best teams in all of the State). Without Haven, they wouldn’t have crossed midfield. Instant pressure on him as soon as the ball was snapped every single play and zero running game. TIFWIW but he was the most impressive individual player I’ve seen from Louisiana in a long time.
re: Your prediction how many sacks Pierre has in 2026
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/20/26 at 3:20 pm to Diego Ricardo
Okay, I can understand that and it’s a fair assessment. My only retort/evidence to the contrary was the desperate measures both UT and LSU took to try and slow him down. Then of course, Indiana and their elite OL had to keep an in-line TE or a RB (or both) to double or at least chip him to give the Tackle a chance and be still had 1.5 sacks and should’ve had a third (2.5)
re: Your prediction how many sacks Pierre has in 2026
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/20/26 at 8:09 am to Diego Ricardo
Georgia, LSU, Indiana, UT, USc, and OU couldn’t handle him. He didn’t see regular playing time until Russaw went down, and then had to split time with him once he returned from injury despite wracking up 6.5 sacks in the previous 5 games, and 8 total while playing just 56% of the total snaps for the season.
Despite starting the season behind Russaw and then rotating with him after Russaw returned from injury, Pierre still led the team with 14.5 TFL’s for loss and eight sacks (-81 yards) ... also added a team-leading nine quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles
He also had 1.5 sacks (should’ve been 2.5) vs Indiana, 2 vs LSU, 1vs UGA, 3 vs UT, and 1 vs OU….notice that all those games were after SEC play began, and also look at the quality of the opponents. He certainly did not pad his stats against “small non-conference opponents and 3 weaker SEC teams”.
Your comment is the result of you either not watching the games or being completely oblivious to what is taking place. Indiana, just like UT and LSU, had to leave an end-line TE in at all times to give the tackle help, and he still posted multiple sacks in all 3 of those games.
Bama fans are fortunate the staff played Russaw ahead of him to start the season and especially by (foolishly) deciding to play him on a rotational basis once Russaw returned from injury. Otherwise, Pierre would be headed to the Draft instead of playing one more season here.
I cannot determine if your post is a troll attempt, and I’m taking the bait, or if you are actually being serious.
Despite starting the season behind Russaw and then rotating with him after Russaw returned from injury, Pierre still led the team with 14.5 TFL’s for loss and eight sacks (-81 yards) ... also added a team-leading nine quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles
He also had 1.5 sacks (should’ve been 2.5) vs Indiana, 2 vs LSU, 1vs UGA, 3 vs UT, and 1 vs OU….notice that all those games were after SEC play began, and also look at the quality of the opponents. He certainly did not pad his stats against “small non-conference opponents and 3 weaker SEC teams”.
Your comment is the result of you either not watching the games or being completely oblivious to what is taking place. Indiana, just like UT and LSU, had to leave an end-line TE in at all times to give the tackle help, and he still posted multiple sacks in all 3 of those games.
Bama fans are fortunate the staff played Russaw ahead of him to start the season and especially by (foolishly) deciding to play him on a rotational basis once Russaw returned from injury. Otherwise, Pierre would be headed to the Draft instead of playing one more season here.
I cannot determine if your post is a troll attempt, and I’m taking the bait, or if you are actually being serious.
re: Your prediction how many sacks Pierre has in 2026
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/19/26 at 10:59 pm to Tide or Die87
He had 3 in just 34 snaps vs UT last year. I think 10 is the floor not the ceiling imo
re: Your prediction how many sacks Pierre has in 2026
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/19/26 at 10:58 pm to Diego Ricardo
Off-ball LB all the way. He’s up to 223lbs after coming in at just 203 back in January. He can easily hold 10-12 more lbs by the end of the Summet. He is a better (faster and more physical) version of Jihad Cambell imo. I think he will contribute a ton as a TF just like the 9 TF inside LB’s who started under CNS. He is a very special talent.
re: Alabama Basketball 2026-27 roster tracker
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/19/26 at 10:24 pm to mistaken4193
Samuels is far and away the best all around scorer Bama has had since Brandon Miller. How people forget that Amari Allen was a fringe top75 prospect that most fans are now banking the 2027 on, but are dismissive of a guy like Samuel’s is mindboggling. Same with several of these guys just 1-year removed from their TF season.
This past year was essentially:
Philon: 2nd year
Allen: TF
Jemison: TF
Sherrill: 2nd year player
- Holloway, Wrightsell, Mallette all transfer Guards
- Irrelevant completely useless transfer portal class
This past year was essentially:
Philon: 2nd year
Allen: TF
Jemison: TF
Sherrill: 2nd year player
- Holloway, Wrightsell, Mallette all transfer Guards
- Irrelevant completely useless transfer portal class
re: Alabama Basketball 2026-27 roster tracker
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/19/26 at 10:09 pm to SECSolomonGrundy
Quinerly and Sears weren’t “top level PG’s” by any stretch. They were the primary ball handlers on CNO’s best teams.
I think Holloway and Allen will both be back and the staff has a good idea of where they stand. That would give Bama as good of a backcourt as any.
It’s been the play at the 3 and 4 positions both offensively and defensively that have determined the success of CNO’s team. Outside of Philon this year, Oats has never had elite PG play. On the other hand, the list of Wings is a mile long and the majority of them were all year 1 instant impact contributors.
I think Holloway and Allen will both be back and the staff has a good idea of where they stand. That would give Bama as good of a backcourt as any.
It’s been the play at the 3 and 4 positions both offensively and defensively that have determined the success of CNO’s team. Outside of Philon this year, Oats has never had elite PG play. On the other hand, the list of Wings is a mile long and the majority of them were all year 1 instant impact contributors.
re: Alabama Basketball 2026-27 roster tracker
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/19/26 at 8:23 am to irvingtontide
The staff obviously has much better insight on Amari Allen’s decision, and also I would like to believe that Holloway will reach a plea agreement that reduces the felony charges due to being a first time offender and the marijuana no longer possessing the same stigma that it did just 4-5 years ago. I would like to believe CNO has a general idea of how both of these situations are likely to play out (a deal with Allen may already be reached for all we know).
IF those two break our way, then you are looking at:
- Holloway
- Allen
- Jemison
That’s 3 returning starters, and two primary ball-handlers. Throw in Bristow and hopefully the kid from Boise State along with the size already signed, and that’s a MUCH stronger roster on paper compared to this time a year ago when Philon and Holloway/Wrightsell (off the bench) were the only known commodities.
I also think the amount of talent in this 2026 class is being highly overshadowed/underestimated due to the portal. CNO’s best team was led by 3 TF and a couple of (very) low rated transfers. I doubt seriously that many in this thread would have believed a year ago that this offseason was told hinge on Amari Allen’s decision to return for a 2nd season.
I believe this Freshman class will turn out to be one of CNO’s best ever. Richardson and Samuels will both possess elite scoring ability and will make a larger contribution than Allen and Bristow did this past season as a duo.
I believe Oats is confident and knows the talent he has on this roster already. That explains the emphasis on bigs at the 4 and depth at the 5.
The Final 4 team was widely regarded as a rebuilding season, and if we would have all known ahead of time how poor this past year’s transfer class was then most fans would have pegged us as a middle of the pack team in the SEC and an 8/9 seed caliber team, and that’s exactly what we would have been if not for an unheralded TF in Amari Allen and the dramatic improvement that Sherrill and Philon both underwent.
IF those two break our way, then you are looking at:
- Holloway
- Allen
- Jemison
That’s 3 returning starters, and two primary ball-handlers. Throw in Bristow and hopefully the kid from Boise State along with the size already signed, and that’s a MUCH stronger roster on paper compared to this time a year ago when Philon and Holloway/Wrightsell (off the bench) were the only known commodities.
I also think the amount of talent in this 2026 class is being highly overshadowed/underestimated due to the portal. CNO’s best team was led by 3 TF and a couple of (very) low rated transfers. I doubt seriously that many in this thread would have believed a year ago that this offseason was told hinge on Amari Allen’s decision to return for a 2nd season.
I believe this Freshman class will turn out to be one of CNO’s best ever. Richardson and Samuels will both possess elite scoring ability and will make a larger contribution than Allen and Bristow did this past season as a duo.
I believe Oats is confident and knows the talent he has on this roster already. That explains the emphasis on bigs at the 4 and depth at the 5.
The Final 4 team was widely regarded as a rebuilding season, and if we would have all known ahead of time how poor this past year’s transfer class was then most fans would have pegged us as a middle of the pack team in the SEC and an 8/9 seed caliber team, and that’s exactly what we would have been if not for an unheralded TF in Amari Allen and the dramatic improvement that Sherrill and Philon both underwent.
re: Your prediction how many sacks Pierre has in 2026
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/19/26 at 7:56 am to Amarillo Tide
Double digits for sure (barring injury). I believe he will be a top5 pass rusher in the SEC, potentially could play his way into the first round/early 2nd round Pick.
I’ve heard the coaches speak on it, and I would agree that this should a significantly improved pass rush.
CKW has done a tremendous job creating pressure/affecting the passer with 5 and 6 man pressures/blitzes and forcing turnovers. It will make things a lot easier on him as a play-caller/D.C. to finally have the luxury of generating pressure with just the Front-4.
I think Thompkins, Pierre and Justin Hill in particular will generate consistent pressure, with Pierre being a 1st Team All-SEC performer.
Going forward, I believe the staff has done a great job bringing in guys who can get to the QB: X Griffin, Nolan Wilson, London Simmons, Justin Hill and Jamarion Matthews in particular. The future on defense is bright imo.
I’ve heard the coaches speak on it, and I would agree that this should a significantly improved pass rush.
CKW has done a tremendous job creating pressure/affecting the passer with 5 and 6 man pressures/blitzes and forcing turnovers. It will make things a lot easier on him as a play-caller/D.C. to finally have the luxury of generating pressure with just the Front-4.
I think Thompkins, Pierre and Justin Hill in particular will generate consistent pressure, with Pierre being a 1st Team All-SEC performer.
Going forward, I believe the staff has done a great job bringing in guys who can get to the QB: X Griffin, Nolan Wilson, London Simmons, Justin Hill and Jamarion Matthews in particular. The future on defense is bright imo.
re: JD Pickell picks Bama to not make it to the playoffs in 2026
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/18/26 at 10:19 am to Amarillo Tide
Who gives a shite.
Did Mr Pickell have Bama going to Atlanta for the SECCG and reaching the Rose Bowl last year?
You, or one of the 8 basement dwellers that watch “JD Pickell” from “YouTube”, should advise him to wager a large sum of money and take the “under” on Bama’s projected win total.
Surely thats a much more efficient way to make money than hoping thousands of people will eventually subscribe to Mr Pickell’s YouTube channel.
Did Mr Pickell have Bama going to Atlanta for the SECCG and reaching the Rose Bowl last year?
You, or one of the 8 basement dwellers that watch “JD Pickell” from “YouTube”, should advise him to wager a large sum of money and take the “under” on Bama’s projected win total.
Surely thats a much more efficient way to make money than hoping thousands of people will eventually subscribe to Mr Pickell’s YouTube channel.
re: Alabama Basketball 2026-27 roster tracker
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/16/26 at 1:32 am to Roll3sRoll
Oats has done as good, or possibly better job of bringing in immediate impact TF than any coach in the country over the past 5 seasons. It’s not even debatable if you take the rankings into account bc so many of the immediate impact guys he’s brought to in were seen as “solid 4-star” recruits.
His most dominant team (#1 overall seed and a PG away from a Natty) was led entirely by TF.
It really is incredible if you go look at the recruiting classes beginning with his 2020 class, and look at the players he has consistently brought in that immediately became core contributors right away. The large majority of those guys were ranked and perceived the very similarly to the way Amari Allen and Philon were…solid “4-Star”” recruits with potential , but far from consensus top10 1-and-done types. Oats is a phenomenal recruiter, but he’s even better at evaluating and developing the guys he brings in.
When you consider that every 5-star talent Oats has signed (Reid might become the lone exception) went on to be a legitimate NBA player:
- Primo
- Brandon Miller
- Davidson
- Bradley (soon to be1st-rounder)
- I know he did not sign him, but CNO turned Kira Lewis into a 1st-rounder.
However, what is even more impressive (imo) is the immediate impact that the “solid 4-star” caliber players have made since he’s been here. His most dominant team and #1 overall seed was led by 3 TF. Guys like Clowney, Griffin, Bediake, Diabate, Sherrell, Philon, Allen, and several others I’m forgetting that were immediate impact players as TF that weren’t considered “can’t miss” type talents.
No one would’ve thought we would be sitting here fingers crossed waiting for Allen to hopefully forego the Draft and give us 1 more year when Oats signed him a year ago.
I would be stunned if at least one (possibly two) pilot by of the three extremely talented incoming TF don’t have the same impact that Philon had a year ago and what Allen did this year.
His track record with the Portal has been just as impressive imo …who could’ve possibly foreseen that Sears would be an SEC POY/AA, or that guys like Nelson, Wrightsell, Sears, and Pringle would be the caliber of transfers to lead us to our first ever Final 4???
Anyone who doubts that CNO will field yet another Sweet16 caliber team next season is either a prisoner of the moment (Sherrell/“slowcDddffcfr away and
If Oats does begin with this nucleus:
- Allen
- Holloway
- Jemison
- along with the 3 in-coming TF
(I also believe Hannah is going to be a very good player here)
That ranks right up there with most any other nucleus he has entered into a season with. I highly doubt if this year’s transfer class consisted of Sears, Estrada, Wrightsell and Grant Nelson that anyone would be talking about a Final 4.
I know the Sherrell situation wasn’t fun, and Holloway is a question mark right now, but at the end of the day Oats has proven time and again that he WILL put together a team that will contend for the SEC Championship and a Sweet16 as always.
We know that CNO has an extremely specific system and that each component of that system needs to possess a specific skill-set regardless of their transfer/recruiting ranking. A large majority of coaches simply try to acquire as much talent as possible and will only go as far as that talent takes them. Meanwhile, CNO can bring in a guy that isn’t on many radars and wind-up being an All-Conference performer like many already have under Oats.
My money is on all of us sitting here a year from now speculating that our upcoming season will depend on if Jaxon Richardson and some currently unknown player in the Portal decide to return for another year or not, then rinse and repeat,
His most dominant team (#1 overall seed and a PG away from a Natty) was led entirely by TF.
It really is incredible if you go look at the recruiting classes beginning with his 2020 class, and look at the players he has consistently brought in that immediately became core contributors right away. The large majority of those guys were ranked and perceived the very similarly to the way Amari Allen and Philon were…solid “4-Star”” recruits with potential , but far from consensus top10 1-and-done types. Oats is a phenomenal recruiter, but he’s even better at evaluating and developing the guys he brings in.
When you consider that every 5-star talent Oats has signed (Reid might become the lone exception) went on to be a legitimate NBA player:
- Primo
- Brandon Miller
- Davidson
- Bradley (soon to be1st-rounder)
- I know he did not sign him, but CNO turned Kira Lewis into a 1st-rounder.
However, what is even more impressive (imo) is the immediate impact that the “solid 4-star” caliber players have made since he’s been here. His most dominant team and #1 overall seed was led by 3 TF. Guys like Clowney, Griffin, Bediake, Diabate, Sherrell, Philon, Allen, and several others I’m forgetting that were immediate impact players as TF that weren’t considered “can’t miss” type talents.
No one would’ve thought we would be sitting here fingers crossed waiting for Allen to hopefully forego the Draft and give us 1 more year when Oats signed him a year ago.
I would be stunned if at least one (possibly two) pilot by of the three extremely talented incoming TF don’t have the same impact that Philon had a year ago and what Allen did this year.
His track record with the Portal has been just as impressive imo …who could’ve possibly foreseen that Sears would be an SEC POY/AA, or that guys like Nelson, Wrightsell, Sears, and Pringle would be the caliber of transfers to lead us to our first ever Final 4???
Anyone who doubts that CNO will field yet another Sweet16 caliber team next season is either a prisoner of the moment (Sherrell/“slowcDddffcfr away and
If Oats does begin with this nucleus:
- Allen
- Holloway
- Jemison
- along with the 3 in-coming TF
(I also believe Hannah is going to be a very good player here)
That ranks right up there with most any other nucleus he has entered into a season with. I highly doubt if this year’s transfer class consisted of Sears, Estrada, Wrightsell and Grant Nelson that anyone would be talking about a Final 4.
I know the Sherrell situation wasn’t fun, and Holloway is a question mark right now, but at the end of the day Oats has proven time and again that he WILL put together a team that will contend for the SEC Championship and a Sweet16 as always.
We know that CNO has an extremely specific system and that each component of that system needs to possess a specific skill-set regardless of their transfer/recruiting ranking. A large majority of coaches simply try to acquire as much talent as possible and will only go as far as that talent takes them. Meanwhile, CNO can bring in a guy that isn’t on many radars and wind-up being an All-Conference performer like many already have under Oats.
My money is on all of us sitting here a year from now speculating that our upcoming season will depend on if Jaxon Richardson and some currently unknown player in the Portal decide to return for another year or not, then rinse and repeat,
re: Alabama Basketball 2026-27 roster tracker
Posted by Cover1Key on 4/6/26 at 10:49 pm to BamaBravesPackers
Maybe he should adopt Arizona’s low-post style of play…seemed to work very well vs Michigan. Why can’t you just accept that CNO has Bama in contention every year? The Darius Miles situation, the Holloway situation along with several other injuries have hurt them in these Elite 8/Final 4 games. At the end of the day no “offensive system” is going to overcome historically good UConn, Michigan, Duke and Florida teams. Bama led at half vs Hurley’s best UConn team imo, and same vs Michigan. Michigan embarrassed everyone they played, much like UConn did 2 years ago. You might be the most obstinate stuff-necked poster on this board. Also, Estrada and Griffin both hit multiple 3’s vs UConn in the 2nd half. Oats’ arguably least talented team is the one that went the farthest. If he keeps Bama in the hunt every single season then eventually health, injuries, matchups, etc will fall their way and he will win a Natty.
re: 2025-2026 Alabama Basketball Recruiting
Posted by Cover1Key on 3/18/26 at 7:20 pm to Allthatfades
I mean Hootie Jones and Cam Robinson had more than just drugs
I’m not referring to the issue at hand….Holloway is a Jr, and you included him in your list of guys Oats will have to replace. Just curious as to why he won’t be back in your opinion?
Allen has taken a tumble lately in every Mock….Oats has a solid teach record of mid-2nd type guys returning, i.e. Philon
Why Holloway?
re: Anyone else watching Seattle and worried that our OC could be a major issue?
Posted by Cover1Key on 2/9/26 at 2:23 pm to Bham Bammer
They gave up less than 300ypg (296.8)for only the 2nd time in a season since 2018.
The Indiana game created a great deal of recency-bias.
Bama allowed the 2nd fewest yards in the SEC behind only OU.
They played well enough to win in 13 out of the 15 games they played against one of the toughest schedules I can remember:
- UGA twice
- OU twice
- 8 ranked opponents
- 16-0 National Champion Indiana
Alabama has lost a total of 2 games in the two years since CKD has been here when the offense produced 21 points.
Losses:
Vandy 40-35 (2024)
OU 23-21 (2025)
Bama finished 7-1 and made it to Atlanta, and without the defense they would have been 5-3 or 4-4.
Bama’s defense has allowed 30 points 2 times out of their past 23 games. For context, the 2021 defense game up 34+ 4 times in the same season.
I don’t know what people expect…
The Indiana game created a great deal of recency-bias.
Bama allowed the 2nd fewest yards in the SEC behind only OU.
They played well enough to win in 13 out of the 15 games they played against one of the toughest schedules I can remember:
- UGA twice
- OU twice
- 8 ranked opponents
- 16-0 National Champion Indiana
Alabama has lost a total of 2 games in the two years since CKD has been here when the offense produced 21 points.
Losses:
Vandy 40-35 (2024)
OU 23-21 (2025)
Bama finished 7-1 and made it to Atlanta, and without the defense they would have been 5-3 or 4-4.
Bama’s defense has allowed 30 points 2 times out of their past 23 games. For context, the 2021 defense game up 34+ 4 times in the same season.
I don’t know what people expect…
re: A day predictions
Posted by Cover1Key on 2/6/26 at 11:16 pm to RTRnFlorida
Help me understand the “no defense” perspective. I do not understand it. The defense allowed just 296ypg while playing a 15 game schedule vs 8 ranked opponents including UGA twice and OU twice plus 16-0 National Champs Indiana.
The only team to surrender fewer yards in the SEC was OU. That’s the fewest yards allowed since 2019 by a Bama defense.
Last year, they finished #9 in scoring defense nationally. The defense carried this team to a 7-1 SEC record and a trip to Atlanta. I don’t know what people expect. Last year was the fewest points allowed per game (17.9) by Bama since the 2017 defense.
Also, look how deficient the talent level was beginning in 2024. They replaced the entire Secondary. Is all of this based solely off the Indiana game?
What about forcing the 4th most turnovers in the country while allowing 17.9ppg in 2024 with only ONE NFL Draft pick in the first 4 rounds? Then proceeded to finish 2nd in the conference in total defense in 2025???
Bama has lost exactly TWICE under CKD when the offense produced 21 points:
Vandy 40-35 i(2024)
OU 23-21 (2015)
Bama has allowed 30 points just 4 times in the 27 games in CKD’s tenure so far. That is while playing the cumulative #4 SOS during that time frame. For context, from 2020-2021, Bama allowed 40 points 5 times.
I don’t know what people expect. If I had known Bama would finish #9 in the country in scoring defense while forcing the 4th most turnovers in 2024, then surrender the second fewest yards in the SEC in 2025, then I would’ve
been ecstatic.
Especially considering the weakest roster Bama has had since 2007 that was in need of a total rebuild. Also while transitioning to a brand new scheme while being under an offensive-minded HC.
Bama’s defense has surrender fewer points and (slightly) less yards than Georgia (plus 7 more takeaways) over the past two seasons. How come Georgia’s defense is viewed as dominant yet Bama’s is perceived so poorly by their own fanbase despite out-performing them (and also beating them 2 out of 3 times they have played).
This coming season will be the best group CKW has fielded.. They need to finish top 10 in both scoring defense
and total defense in the same season (top 5 in takeaways again would be nice too), to get the respect t they deserve from fans imo. .I think they will do it.
The only team to surrender fewer yards in the SEC was OU. That’s the fewest yards allowed since 2019 by a Bama defense.
Last year, they finished #9 in scoring defense nationally. The defense carried this team to a 7-1 SEC record and a trip to Atlanta. I don’t know what people expect. Last year was the fewest points allowed per game (17.9) by Bama since the 2017 defense.
Also, look how deficient the talent level was beginning in 2024. They replaced the entire Secondary. Is all of this based solely off the Indiana game?
What about forcing the 4th most turnovers in the country while allowing 17.9ppg in 2024 with only ONE NFL Draft pick in the first 4 rounds? Then proceeded to finish 2nd in the conference in total defense in 2025???
Bama has lost exactly TWICE under CKD when the offense produced 21 points:
Vandy 40-35 i(2024)
OU 23-21 (2015)
Bama has allowed 30 points just 4 times in the 27 games in CKD’s tenure so far. That is while playing the cumulative #4 SOS during that time frame. For context, from 2020-2021, Bama allowed 40 points 5 times.
I don’t know what people expect. If I had known Bama would finish #9 in the country in scoring defense while forcing the 4th most turnovers in 2024, then surrender the second fewest yards in the SEC in 2025, then I would’ve
been ecstatic.
Especially considering the weakest roster Bama has had since 2007 that was in need of a total rebuild. Also while transitioning to a brand new scheme while being under an offensive-minded HC.
Bama’s defense has surrender fewer points and (slightly) less yards than Georgia (plus 7 more takeaways) over the past two seasons. How come Georgia’s defense is viewed as dominant yet Bama’s is perceived so poorly by their own fanbase despite out-performing them (and also beating them 2 out of 3 times they have played).
This coming season will be the best group CKW has fielded.. They need to finish top 10 in both scoring defense
and total defense in the same season (top 5 in takeaways again would be nice too), to get the respect t they deserve from fans imo. .I think they will do it.
I’m sure this would be on your mind if Bama hadn’t just knocked off your best team in program history with an 8 man bench….
re: Interesting take on Bama -
Posted by Cover1Key on 2/6/26 at 8:25 am to Diego Ricardo
Spot on.
If you look at the roster CKD inherited in 2024, it’s astonishing that the talent level had fallen so far. There was ZERO 1st/2nd round talent on the roster outside on Booker and Proctor.
Specifically, the skill positions were in shambles…a 17 year old Ryan Williams and transfer Bernard were the best they had at WR (both brought in by CKD).
CNS always had multiple NFL caliber RB’s on the roster, but all that was left was Jam and Haynes. TE was also a transfer (Cuevas). Most of all, the run of Tua/Mac/Bryce had come to an end to say the least….
Same defensively, not a single difference-maker in the Front-6 (7). Jihad Cambell was the only NFL talent out of all the DL, Edge and LB position groups.
Players like Justin Jefferson, Lawson (unfortunately bc of the knee injury) and having to bring in a transfers (Hill-Green) to play significant roles would’ve been unthinkable from 2008-2023.
The Secondary was in shambles as well after losing talents like Terrion Arnold, Mckinstry, both Safeties and then of course Downs transferred. They had to play Freshman Z Brown and D Jackson as 1st year players at both CB positions. Same at both Safety positions.
It’s amazing the defense finished #9 in scoring defense in 2024 with that group imo.
NIL/Portal effects. along with his age (to a lesser degree imo) led to this situation and decline under CNS. He was never going to allow himself to be held hostage by his own players and potential future recruits.
CKD has done a very impressive job bringing NFL caliber talent into the program. Most everyone (rival and Bama fans alike) expected a significant further decline in recruiting under CKD.
Now, two years later, the QB room is stocked with Russell/Mack/Thomalia and a CNS (prime years) caliber RB in Crowell, and Dear has a lot of potential as well.
The WR position could be one of the better groups around between Brooks/Meadows/Morgan and then potentially adding Sale and Sabb this year.
He has rebuilt the future core of the OL as well with Michael Carroll, Waldrep, Jackson Lyod, Sanders, Doughty, Cooley and it looks like they are making LT a top priority in this class (Hiller).
Having to start players like Pritchett, Formby, Dewberry, anc Geno Vandermark would have been unfathomable at any point under CNS. He always had 2-3 NFL caliber talents on the OL year after year.
Also, the defensive talents like Dijon Lee, Jordan Edmonds, Jireh Edwards, Xavier Griffin, Justin Hill, London Simmons, etc are the type of players the roster use to possess year in and year out up until 2024.
Looking back on it in hindsight, I don’t think even Bama fans realized CKD was inheriting a roster in 2024 that required a total overhaul/rebuild and the talent level had taken a complete nose-dive despite the media assuming CKD was inheriting a CNS roster on par with those of the past.
If you look at the roster CKD inherited in 2024, it’s astonishing that the talent level had fallen so far. There was ZERO 1st/2nd round talent on the roster outside on Booker and Proctor.
Specifically, the skill positions were in shambles…a 17 year old Ryan Williams and transfer Bernard were the best they had at WR (both brought in by CKD).
CNS always had multiple NFL caliber RB’s on the roster, but all that was left was Jam and Haynes. TE was also a transfer (Cuevas). Most of all, the run of Tua/Mac/Bryce had come to an end to say the least….
Same defensively, not a single difference-maker in the Front-6 (7). Jihad Cambell was the only NFL talent out of all the DL, Edge and LB position groups.
Players like Justin Jefferson, Lawson (unfortunately bc of the knee injury) and having to bring in a transfers (Hill-Green) to play significant roles would’ve been unthinkable from 2008-2023.
The Secondary was in shambles as well after losing talents like Terrion Arnold, Mckinstry, both Safeties and then of course Downs transferred. They had to play Freshman Z Brown and D Jackson as 1st year players at both CB positions. Same at both Safety positions.
It’s amazing the defense finished #9 in scoring defense in 2024 with that group imo.
NIL/Portal effects. along with his age (to a lesser degree imo) led to this situation and decline under CNS. He was never going to allow himself to be held hostage by his own players and potential future recruits.
CKD has done a very impressive job bringing NFL caliber talent into the program. Most everyone (rival and Bama fans alike) expected a significant further decline in recruiting under CKD.
Now, two years later, the QB room is stocked with Russell/Mack/Thomalia and a CNS (prime years) caliber RB in Crowell, and Dear has a lot of potential as well.
The WR position could be one of the better groups around between Brooks/Meadows/Morgan and then potentially adding Sale and Sabb this year.
He has rebuilt the future core of the OL as well with Michael Carroll, Waldrep, Jackson Lyod, Sanders, Doughty, Cooley and it looks like they are making LT a top priority in this class (Hiller).
Having to start players like Pritchett, Formby, Dewberry, anc Geno Vandermark would have been unfathomable at any point under CNS. He always had 2-3 NFL caliber talents on the OL year after year.
Also, the defensive talents like Dijon Lee, Jordan Edmonds, Jireh Edwards, Xavier Griffin, Justin Hill, London Simmons, etc are the type of players the roster use to possess year in and year out up until 2024.
Looking back on it in hindsight, I don’t think even Bama fans realized CKD was inheriting a roster in 2024 that required a total overhaul/rebuild and the talent level had taken a complete nose-dive despite the media assuming CKD was inheriting a CNS roster on par with those of the past.
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