Joshua Jacobs
FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2019, file photo, Alabama's Najee Harris reaches for the end zone during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, in Santa Clara, Calif. Najee Harris has been a presence in Alabama’s backfield pretty much since he arrived as one of the nation’s top recruits. Now, he's finally the lead runner. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Najee Harris finally gets to be Alabama's primary runner

By John Zenor Aug. 20, 2019 11:43 AM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Najee Harris has been a presence in Alabama's backfield since

Saban: Alabama freshman RB Trey Sanders "out indefinitely"

Aug. 10, 2019 05:28 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama coach Nick Saban says freshman running back Trey

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) works through drills as offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian, crouching, watches in Alabama's fall camp fan-day college football scrimmage, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Sarkisian inherits Alabama offense loaded with playmakers

By John Zenor Aug. 06, 2019 12:07 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Steve Sarkisian keeps hitting the jackpot when it comes to

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks to reporters during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Wednesday, July 17, 2019, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama QB says Tide learned 'many lessons' from title loss

By John Zenor Jul. 17, 2019 08:28 AM EDT
HOOVER, Ala. (AP) — It's easier for Alabama to be humble now. The

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) throws a sideline pass during the first half of Alabama's A-Day NCAA college football scrimmage, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Nick Saban reloading defense with youthful Alabama team

By John Zenor Apr. 13, 2019 03:02 AM EDT
Nick Saban isn't likely to get much sympathy from his coaching peers regarding his

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, talks with Alabama football coach Nick Saban at Alabama's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 19, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Josh Jacobs, other Alabama players participate in pro day

By Cody Estremera Mar. 19, 2019 05:46 PM EDT
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — There was no shortage of NFL executives on hand to watch

Saban wants to rebuild "Alabama Factor" after falling short

By John Zenor Mar. 08, 2019 08:23 PM EST
Alabama enters spring practice with a largely new coaching staff and plenty of hot

Clemson's Travis Etienne is stopped by Alabama's Xavier McKinney and Mack Wilson during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson joins NFL draft exodus

Jan. 14, 2019 11:02 AM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama middle linebacker Mack Wilson is entering the NFL

Alabama safety Deionte Thompson declares for NFL draft

Jan. 13, 2019 02:43 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — All-America safety Deionte Thompson has joined a growing

Alabama defensive back Saivion Smith (4) holds onto the foot of Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks (26), during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Alabama DB Saivion Smith declares for NFL draft

Jan. 12, 2019 04:55 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama cornerback Saivion Smith is entering the NFL draft.

FILE - At left, in a Nov. 17, 2018, file photo, Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. (82) carries the ball in for a touchdown against Citadel during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. At right, in a Dec. 29, 2018, file photo, Alabama running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs the ball, during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Four Alabama players are skipping their final seasons to enter the NFL draft, including Smith Jr. and Jacobs. (AP Photo/File)
4 Alabama players announce they are declaring for NFL draft

By John Zenor Jan. 11, 2019 11:40 AM EST
Four Alabama players are skipping their final seasons to enter the NFL draft,

Alabama head coach Nick Saban reacts after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. Clemson beat Alabama 44-16. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Alabama, Saban face big offseason challenges after loss

By John Zenor Jan. 08, 2019 05:01 PM EST
Alabama coach Nick Saban is famously quick to start focusing on his postseason to-do

File-This Dec. 29, 2018, file photo shows Alabama running back Damien Harris (34) running the ball, during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma , in Miami Gardens, Fla. In four years at Alabama, Harris has shared the backfield with several runners who either have or will play in the NFL. From Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake in 2015, to Bo Scarbrough the next two years, to his current running mates Najee Harris and Joshua Jacobs, the top-ranked Crimson Tide (14-0) have always had a variety of running threats to fuel their offense. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Running games overshadowed by QBs in national title game

By Josh Dubow Jan. 06, 2019 03:22 PM EST
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — In four years at Alabama, Damien Harris has shared the

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Clemson's Clelin Ferrell (99) rushes into the backfield during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern in Clemson, S.C. Clemson’s defensive line came into the season with a ton of hype after Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant and Ferrell all bypassed the chance to go to the NFL after 2017. Ferrell, an explosive pass rusher, has the most NFL upside. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Bama-Clemson loaded with NFL draft picks along D-line

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 05, 2019 02:40 AM EST
Quality defensive linemen are just about the toughest find in football.

Alabama offensive lineman Lester Cotton Sr. (66) lifts Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) after Smith scored a touchdown, during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla.To the right is Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17). (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
No. 1 Alabama beats No. 4 Oklahoma 45-34 to reach title game

By Steven Wine Dec. 29, 2018 11:54 PM EST
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — This season's Alabama juggernaut has yet to be stopped,

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) fights off Oklahoma safety Robert Barnes (20), during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
The Latest: It's Round 4 for Clemson-Alabama in title game

By The Associated Press Dec. 29, 2018 03:26 PM EST
The Latest on the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Cotton and Orange Bowls

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2018, file photo, Oklahoma defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill watches players before an NCAA college football game between Kansas State and Oklahoma in Norman, Okla. The Sooners played so poorly in a 48-45 regular-season loss to Texas that they fired defensive coordinator Mike Stoops. The numbers actually got worse under McNeill, but the past two games offered glimmers of hope. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
Alabama toughest challenge for Oklahoma interim DC McNeill

By Cliff Brunt Dec. 23, 2018 11:37 AM EST
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma interim defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill's unit

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018 file photo, Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) speaks to fans after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game between Georgia and Alabama, in Atlanta. Alabama won 35-28. Even before Hurts came off the bench to lead Alabama's comeback win over Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game, his popularity has only seemed to grow since his role shrank. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Alabama fans embrace Jalen Hurts from field to stage

By John Zenor Dec. 20, 2018 02:23 AM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — They cheered Jalen Hurts as he picked up his diploma, and

Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. (82) hits Georgia defensive back Tyson Campbell (3) in the helmet during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The Latest: Playoff hopefuls make case, selections are next

By The Associated Press Dec. 01, 2018 12:24 PM EST
The Latest on college football's championship Saturday (all times Eastern):

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Georgia cornerback Deandre Baker (18) celebrates after making an interception during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in Athens, Ga. Alabama faces a Georgia secondary led by cornerback Deandre Baker and one of the SEC's top defenses. (Jenn Finch/Athens Banner-Herald via AP, FIle)
Smart, Georgia facing Bama's 'elite group of skill players'

By John Zenor Nov. 29, 2018 12:53 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Kirby Smart's Alabama defenses routinely squared off in