Henry Ruggs
FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron speaks during a news conference for the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. National Signing Day begins Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Alabama, SEC powers rake in highly rated recruiting hauls

By John Zenor Feb. 03, 2021 06:53 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, file photo, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks to his team during their NCAA college football practice, in Columbus, Ohio. As Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Florida prepared to play for conference championships, they signed top-10 recruiting classes for 2021 they hope to fuel their next title contenders..(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Alabama follows up title by finalizing star-studded class

By Steve Megargee Feb. 03, 2021 06:41 PM EST

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) gets past Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and cornerback Clarence Lewis (26) on his way to the end zone for a touchdown in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Alabama's Smith becomes 1st WR to win Heisman in 29 years

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 05, 2021 08:06 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) warms up before the start of their Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Heisman Trophy Preview: Loads of offense in four finalists

By The Associated Press Jan. 04, 2021 02:25 AM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) works against Florida during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Explosive trio leads Alabama into College Football Playoffs

By John Zenor Dec. 28, 2020 04:39 PM EST

FILE - Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a pass as Auburn linebacker Chandler Wooten (31) tries to tackle him during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. , in this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, file photo. The Southeastern Conference championship game features two of the nation’s top playmakers, and neither is a quarterback. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts are the real stars of the league’s most potent offenses. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Smith, Pitts are the real stars of SEC's Alabama, Florida

By Mark Long Dec. 15, 2020 04:02 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) catches a pass as Auburn linebacker Chandler Wooten (31) tries to tackle him during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. DeVonta Smith could be tearing up the NFL instead of the Southeastern Conference. The Alabama standout has 38 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns in four games. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
SEC standouts who returned for more finding success so far

By Mark Long Oct. 21, 2020 04:34 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, center, celebrates with teammates DeVonta Smith, left, and John Metchie III, right, after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Who can contain No. 2 Alabama's receivers? Not even Georgia

By John Zenor Oct. 18, 2020 04:28 PM EDT

Fans meander along Paul W. Bryant Drive with Bryant-Denny Stadium's south facade as a backdrop Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Only 20,000 fans were allowed to attend the NCAA college football game between Alabama and Texas A&M, meaning many did not travel to the city, while others sought social opportunities at restaurants and bars. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Jones throws deep, No. 2 Alabama tops No. 13 Texas A&M 52-24

By John Zenor Oct. 03, 2020 07:18 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, center, celebrates with teammates DeVonta Smith, left, and John Metchie III, right, after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
No. 2 Alabama's electric WR Waddle taking on bigger role

By John Zenor Sep. 28, 2020 03:59 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, then-Appalachian State head coach Eli Drinkwitz shouts in the second quarter of an NCAA football game against Coastal Carolina, in Boone, N.C. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone more looking forward to spring football than Eli Drinkwitz, the new head coach at Missouri. (Allison Lee Isley/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP, File)
No. 2 Alabama visits Missouri to begin SEC-only campaign

By The Associated Press Sep. 24, 2020 01:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) is sacked by Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses (32) and linebacker Anfernee Jennings (33) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Moses was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Roll redemption: No. 3 Alabama aims to restore dominance

By John Zenor Sep. 01, 2020 11:01 AM EDT

Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy holds up the trophy after he was named MVP of the Citrus Bowl after defeating Michigan in an NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Alabama's Jeudy, Wills declare for NFL draft

Jan. 04, 2020 06:30 PM EST

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Samford, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
No. 5 Alabama visits No. 16 Auburn in Iron Bowl

By The Associated Press Nov. 27, 2019 05:14 PM EST

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) evades Mississippi State safety C.J. Morgan (29) on his way to a 19-yard touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. Alabama won 38-7. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Mac Jones leads No. 5 Alabama against Western Carolina

By John Zenor Nov. 22, 2019 10:05 AM EST

Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill (8) shakes Arkansas defender Andrew Parker (28) as he runs for a gain during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
No. 5 Alabama hosts Western Carolina minus injured star

By The Associated Press Nov. 21, 2019 02:47 PM EST

President Donald Trump watches the first half of an NCAA football game between Alabama and LSU with his wife Melania Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Alb. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Trump soaks in Deep South cheers at college football matchup

By Deb Riechmann Nov. 09, 2019 12:23 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates a defensive stop against Texas during an NCAA football game, in Austin, Texas. For the first time in college football history, there will be two games matching teams of at least 8-0 on the same day, according to ESPN Facts and Info. In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, LSU and the Crimson Tide will play the first regular-season game matching AP Nos. 1 and 2 since 2011 _ when No. 1 LSU beat No. 2 Alabama 9-6 in overtime. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)
8 years later, it's No. 1 LSU versus No. 2 Alabama again

By John Zenor Nov. 08, 2019 09:05 AM EST

Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) acknowledges the crowd as Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) celebrates with him following a touchdown reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU, Alabama loaded with playmaking wide receivers

By John Zenor Nov. 07, 2019 01:06 AM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) carries the ball against Tennessee during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Next man up: QB Jones leads No. 1 Alabama against Arkansas

By John Zenor Oct. 25, 2019 10:15 AM EDT