Alabama’s biggest week-to-week X-factor remains the growth of sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell, who is still learning on the fly and stacking up experience as he goes. The ride has not been smooth. Last week against Kentucky, Russell turned it over three times in the first half, and Alabama had to claw back from a four-point deficit at the break.
But the real focus here is on the less obvious pieces - the players who can tilt Saturday’s game against Florida State without always grabbing the headlines. The unsung ones. Three stand out.
Justin Hill fits the bill because of what Florida State wants to do on offense. Ashton Daniels may not be much of a downfield passing threat, but the Seminoles can run it. Daniels is dangerous with the ball, and sophomore Ousmane Kromah has already piled up 231 rushing yards in the first two games of the season.
That puts a premium on edge-setting, and Hill has made a name for himself there. The sophomore Wolf linebacker is technically Yhonzae Pierre’s backup, but he’s a major part of the rotation and will be on the field plenty.
His ability to hold the edge and still run down Daniels and Kromah could be a major factor for Alabama. One snap against Kentucky showed exactly the kind of work he’ll need to keep bringing against Florida State.
Jireh Edwards is another name to watch, and Alabama fans got their first real look at the 5-star freshman safety against Kentucky. He was on the field just 19 days after surgery for a broken arm suffered in fall camp, and he wasted no time flashing why Kane Wommack believed he could help as a freshman blitzer.
Edwards showed a sharp feel for timing the snap and blowing into the backfield. He picked up his first tackle for loss in the second half against Kentucky, a play where he took down both the quarterback and the running back and basically claimed the handoff for himself.
With that kind of motor, it’s going to be tough to keep him off the field. Against a mobile quarterback who isn’t a big threat throwing deep, Edwards could be even more valuable as a box defender chasing Daniels.
Then there’s Derek Meadows, whose numbers haven’t told the whole story yet. He opened the season with three catches for 44 yards against East Carolina, which made it look like he might take another step in Week 2. Instead, he was blanked against Kentucky and never even saw a target from Russell.
Still, Meadows was contributing as a blocker and continuing to work. His moment should come, and this matchup might be the right one.
Florida State’s secondary has been vulnerable through two games, and that opens the door for Alabama’s other receivers to do damage. Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks are likely to draw the most attention, which could leave room for Meadows, Rico Scott, and freshman Cederian Morgan to find space downfield.
In Other News...
Alabama Faces One Big Receiver Question Before Florida State
Alabamas opening stretch has already brought a few roster changes into focus, and the receiver room is one of the more interesting ones as the Crimson Tide prepare for Florida State. Noah Rogers has yet to play this season while working back from a lower-body injury, but he appears to be nearing a return at a time when Alabama is still sorting out how its newer faces fit into the offense.
Florida State comes into the matchup carrying plenty of its own uncertainty after firing its athletic director, and the pressure around Mike Norvell only adds to the stakes of the game. For Alabama, the question is less about the headline outside the program and more about how quickly Rogers can get back on the field and give the Tide another option before a challenging early-season test. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Past Jeremy Pruitt Interest Is Suddenly Back In Focus
Jeremy Pruitts fight with the NCAA has returned to the spotlight in Alabama, where the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments in his lawsuit this week. The former Tennessee coach is challenging the NCAAs authority to handle the case in Alabama, putting a legal dispute tied to his firing and the punishment that followed back in front of a court with real implications for his coaching future.
Pruitt is seeking $100 million over the penalties he says stemmed from the NCAAs actions, including the six-year show-cause order that has limited his employment opportunities. The justices did not rule from the bench, so the case now moves into another waiting period while the court considers how to handle a dispute that Alabama fans have followed from the start because of where Pruitts career once intersected with their program. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Gets A Needed O-Line Boost Before Florida State
Alabamas offensive line should get a timely lift heading into the Florida State game, with right guard Michael Carroll expected to be available after sitting out the previous matchup because of an injury. The freshman All-America pick has been back in practice, and his return would give the Tide a more settled look up front at a point in the season when every piece matters.
Carrolls presence also matters because Alabama is preparing for a Florida State team that can challenge defenses on the ground, putting even more pressure on the Tide to be firm at the point of attack. Getting him back gives Alabama a better chance to handle those physical demands and keep its offensive plans on schedule in a matchup where line play could shape the day. [Read more 🡒]