Jumbo Package: Gump Day!

Top five opposing running backs for 2018

In two career games against the Crimson Tide, the explosive Williams has carried 24 times for 61 yards (2.54 yards per carry). Other than his 31-yard reception in last year’s meeting with UA, he hasn’t posed much of a problem for the Alabama defense. With Jimbo Fisher coming in from Florida State, Williams will be used more in a manner befitting of an NFL back. That approach could lead to Williams surpassing the 200-carry mark for the first time in his A&M career. He can also expect a touch or two per game via screens, where his dynamic combination of speed and quickness will be put to good use.

It’s never too early to start looking at next season’s opponents. 247 made a list of the top 5 running backs Alabama will face, and Texas A&M’s Trayveon Williams is the top one. Considering last year had names such as Nick Chubb, Derrius Guice, and Kerryon Johnson, the decrease in star-power running backs will hopefully bode well for the Tide.

2 Alabama commits to join Auburn commit at elite QB competition

Hewitt-Trussville’s Paul Tyson and Thompson’s Taulia Tagovailoa -- both Alabama quarterback commits in the Class of 2019 -- have been invited to the Elite 11 finals, set for June 1-3 in Redondo Beach, California. Elite 11 officials announced five invitations today via Twitter, including Tyson and Tagovailoa.

A total of 24 quarterbacks will be invited to the Elite 11 finals, and the top 12 advance to for The Opening Finals with around 160 of the country’s top prospects from June 30-July 3 in Frisco, Texas.

It’s always good to have your quarterback of the future headed to the Elite 11, where he’ll get to prove his mettle with the best and learn stuff he’d never learn elsewhere. But how awesome is it that we have two quarterbacks in the competition?? It’s going to be really interesting to see if both QB’s stick to the commitment over the next year.

Donald Trump’s signed Alabama football never made it to governor

It appears President Donald Trump may need additional help from the Secret Service the next time he hosts the University of Alabama’s football team as special guests at the White House.

Cliff Sims, a special assistant to the President and Alabama graduate, asked President Trump to sign a football as a national champions keepsake for Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey during the Crimson Tide’s visit in April. The problem? The ball never made it to Ivey and was recently spotted in Sims’ office.

You know it’s the offseason when this kind of stuff is making the headlines. In any case, that’s pretty funny. You almost have to be impressed with Sims’ planning and attempt at keeping the football.

Alabama in Top100 DB’s final four

At 6-feet, 194 pounds, McCollough narrowed down his list of nearly two dozen offers to just four.

“It’s Alabama,” McCollough recently said of what sets Bama apart from others. “That’s the heavyweight of college football. Once they recruit you, it’s going to be hard to say no to Coach Saban. A lot of the SEC teams are like Alabama, like Georgia and Tennessee because those coaches coached under Nick Saban. There are a lot of similarities and a lot of differences.”

There’s no set date for a commitment, but with the list narrowed to just four it would appear a decision is not too far off.

“Just because the environment,” McCollough said of why he could see himself committing to the Tide. “I feel comfortable with the players and coaches. It’s a top-notch program. They produce NFL-caliber talent every year.”

McCollough is rated the No. 4 safety and the No. 100 overall player in the country, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite rankings. He plans to return to Tuscaloosa again this summer to workout for UA defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi and new defensive backs coach Karl Scott.

Alabama just signed an amazing defensive back class in the 2018 recruiting class to bolster the depth after losing 6 players. However, you can never have too many DBs. McCollough would be a big pick up for the Tide, especially as most of the players in the last class were corners, not safeties.