Alabama continues to rebuild its wide receiver room, and the latest addition brings both speed and production. Tyler Henderson, a JUCO All-American out of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, has flipped his commitment from Kennesaw State to the Crimson Tide. The Vicksburg, Mississippi native is coming off a standout sophomore campaign where he caught 67 passes for 1,299 yards and 12 touchdowns - numbers that jump off the page at any level.
Henderson’s tape backs up the stat sheet. He’s got legit top-end speed - reportedly clocking a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash - and that kind of burst can be a game-changer in the SEC.
Whether he contributes as a vertical threat or makes his mark on special teams, Alabama is betting on his upside. JUCO transfers can be hit or miss, but Henderson has the tools to be a difference-maker if things click in Tuscaloosa.
Unfortunately, the wide receiver room also got some unsettling news. Lotzeir Brooks was involved in a car accident.
Details are still limited, but obviously, the hope is for a full and speedy recovery. Brooks is a key piece for Alabama moving forward, and his health comes first.
Looking ahead, one of the most anticipated early-season matchups is set for September 19, when Alabama hosts Florida State. This one’s already circled in red ink for both programs. The Seminoles beat the Tide last season, and with both teams expected to enter this game 2-0, the stakes are sky-high.
It’s not just about revenge - it’s about trajectory. A win could be a launching pad; a loss could crank up the pressure on the sidelines.
For Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, this is an early litmus test. The fanbase is hungry for proof that the program is still among college football’s elite, and a dominant showing against FSU would go a long way in settling nerves.
Bottom line: this game could set the tone for the entire season.
Meanwhile, Alabama’s presence at the upcoming NFL Combine will be strong once again, with 12 players receiving invites:
- QB Ty Simpson
- RB Jam Miller
- WR Germie Bernard
- TE Josh Cuevas
- C Parker Brailsford
- OT Kadyn Proctor
- OG Jaeden Roberts
- DL Tim Keenan III
- DL LT Overton
- LB Justin Jefferson
- LB Deontae Lawson
- CB Domani Jackson
It’s a solid group, but there’s a twist this year - Alabama might not have a first-round pick for the first time since 2008. That’s not a lock, though. Kadyn Proctor has the kind of size and upside that NFL teams covet at tackle, and Ty Simpson could see his stock rise thanks to a thin quarterback class.
Keep an eye on linebacker Justin Jefferson, too. He’s got a chance to turn heads in Indianapolis, especially if he posts strong speed numbers. The Combine is always part performance, part projection - and Jefferson could make himself some serious money with a standout showing.
On the hardwood, Alabama basketball has had an up-and-down season, leaving fans feeling a little underwhelmed. The team has been good - just not quite as dominant as many hoped. Still, the Crimson Tide are firmly in the NCAA Tournament picture, with CBS projecting them as a 4-seed.
That projection comes as part of a larger trend: the SEC is stacking the field. CBS Bracketology currently has 11 SEC teams in the tournament.
Missouri is hanging on by a thread as a play-in 11-seed, with Texas A&M and Georgia also in precarious spots. Auburn (8-seed) and Texas (9-seed) are safer, while Florida (3-seed), Alabama and Vanderbilt (both 4-seeds), Arkansas (5-seed), and Tennessee and Kentucky (6-seeds) are looking like locks.
ESPN’s bracket agrees with those six being safe bets.
It says a lot about where Alabama basketball is right now. A few years ago, being a 4-seed would’ve been a cause for celebration.
Now, it feels like a letdown. That’s the price of raised expectations - and a reminder of how far the program has come.
Plenty of questions still surround this Alabama team, but one thing’s clear: March is going to be interesting. And with football reloading and the Combine on deck, it’s shaping up to be a busy - and potentially pivotal - offseason for the Crimson Tide.