John Metchie
FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2020, file photo, Alabama coach Nick Saban leads the team to the field before an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Columbia, Mo. Saban and Alabama opened spring practice Friday, March 19, 2021l with an immediate goal. Along with winning another national championship, that is. For now, they need to find replacements for three of college football's top offensive weapons. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)
Playmakers wanted: Defending champ Alabama replacing stars

By John Zenor Mar. 19, 2021 08:30 PM EDT

A security officer checks as fans arrive for an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game between Alabama and Ohio State Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Ohio State at Alabama 1/11/2021

Jan. 11, 2021 06:51 PM EST

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, center, talks to officials in the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Alabama in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame better in Texas, but loses again in semifinals

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 01, 2021 07:50 PM EST

Alabama fans tailgate outside AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame at Alabama 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 01:47 PM EST

Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (11) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against Alabama during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
QB Trask: Florida ran out of time in comeback against Tide

By Charles Odum Dec. 20, 2020 01:39 AM EST

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) and Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (70) celebrates victory against Florida after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. Alabama won 52-46. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Harris scores 5 TDs, No. 1 Bama escapes No. 11 Florida 52-46

By Paul Newberry Dec. 20, 2020 12:09 AM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches his team warm up before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game between Florida and Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama at Florida 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 08:07 PM EST

Alabama tight end Jahleel Billingsley (19) scores a touchdown against Auburn defensive back Jamien Sherwood (20) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)
Jones, No. 1 Bama roll past No. 22 Auburn 42-13 minus Saban

By John Zenor Nov. 28, 2020 06:55 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) lines up a pass against Alabama during an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
No. 2 Alabama hosts Mississippi State minus Waddle

By The Associated Press Oct. 29, 2020 02:23 PM EDT

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) lines up a pass against Alabama during an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
No. 2 Alabama, minus Jaylen Waddle, hosts Mississippi State

By John Zenor Oct. 29, 2020 01:29 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) pushes away Tennessee defensive back Kenney Solomon (31) during an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
No. 2 Bama striving to replace (some of) Waddle's production

By John Zenor Oct. 26, 2020 05:12 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) pushes away Tennessee defensive back Kenney Solomon (31) during an NCAA college football game in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Caitie McMekin/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
No. 2 Alabama loses Jaylen Waddle, beats Tennessee 48-17

By Teresa M. Walker Oct. 24, 2020 07:09 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) pulls in a pass over Mississippi defensive back A.J. Finley (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Alabama won 63-48. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Saban says Alabama's Jaylen Waddle likely needs surgery

Oct. 24, 2020 05:41 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

Arkansas quarterback Feleipe Franks looks for a receiver during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Auburn on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Georgia takes center stage in SEC

By John Zenor Oct. 15, 2020 03:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2020, file photo, Alabama head football coach Nick Saban leads his team as they march on campus, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The mid-week news that Alabama coach Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 added a challenging backdrop for the season’s first Top 5 matchup. Saban figures to be communicating his marching orders and input from home while offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is manning the show within the football building. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Minus Saban, No. 2 Alabama set to meet No. 3 Georgia

By The Associated Press Oct. 15, 2020 12:45 PM EDT

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) dances after breaking a Mississippi tackle and scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama's Najee Harris braces for Georgia's stingy defense

By John Zenor Oct. 12, 2020 05:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) rolls ut as he looks for a receiver during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Michigan in Orlando, Fla. No. 2 Alabama doesn’t look like a team that lost quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and two first-round receivers. Mac Jones still has a selection of some of the SEC’s best playmakers, including Jaylen Waddle. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
For Alabama, Jones, 3rd-and-long can become 3rd-and-bomb

By John Zenor Oct. 06, 2020 02:26 PM EDT

North Carolina defensive back Trey Morrison (4) celebrates after running the ball back on an interception of a two-point conversion attempt by Boston College during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: ACC milestone with 4 top-10 teams

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 05, 2020 02:39 AM EDT

SMU quarterback Shane Buechele (7) throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Memphis in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Oct. 03, 2020 09:31 PM EDT