Jumbo Package: Gattis and Key move on, Alabama juniors to announce NFL decisions

Happy Friday, everyone. How’s that title game hangover coming along? Time to move on, as next year’s team begins to take shape.

“Sources” say that Josh Jacobs, Jonah Williams, and Irv Smith have already made the decision to go pro. It is widely expected that Quinnen Williams, who is set to hear his name called very early, will go as well. This leaves Deionte Thompson, Mack Wilson, and Anfernee Jennings as the names to watch. Both Trevon Diggs and Terrell Lewis have already announced that they will be returning, and both Mack and Deionte have hinted that way. We will keep you updated.

Jacobs wasn’t thrilled with Matt Zenitz reporting on his decision:

It would be great if it turned out that Josh was upset because he’s actually coming back, but it’s probably more likely that he’s going and feels that his thunder was stolen a bit.

Deionte would be a big get for next year’s secondary, but unlike this season there will be a ton of returning talent either way.

Diggs’ absence would be felt 48 hours later when Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence began to shred the Tide during a 44-16 victory that was as dominating as it was shocking.

After all, the man who replaced Diggs in the starting lineup — Saivion Smith — authored the worst performance of any defender on the field that night. According to ProFootballFocus.com, Smith surrendered three catches and 162 receiving yards. He was responsible for the 62-yard completion from Lawrence to Tee Higgins in the first quarter that started to strip away Alabama’s veneer of invincibility and was later victimized on the 74-yard touchdown to Justyn Ross that left Smith shaken so much he was carted off the field in the third quarter.

Diggs’ improvement was remarkable, and his prototypical size makes him a great NFL prospect. Hopefully he is able to have a healthy and productive senior season.

In other news, the staff turnover has begun again as Josh Gattis and Brent Key move on to new jobs.

Gattis, Alabama’s co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, is leaving the Crimson Tide and taking over as Jim Harbaugh’s offensive coordinator at Michigan, it was announced Thursday.

Gattis had joined the Tide staff last January after four years as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Penn State.

A week after a report connected him to Georgia Tech and five days after denying contact with the school, Alabama’s offensive line coach is joining the Yellow Jackets’ staff. The school announced the moveThursday morning on Twitter and later told reporters Key would be the the offensive line coach, assistant head coach and run-game coordinator, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Both of these guys are big losses, especially in recruiting. Gattis did a nice job with Alabama’s WRs this season, but it’s a pretty risky hire for Harbaugh since he has never called plays before. Methinks Creepy Jim is desperate. No matter, Gattis was apparently headed to Maryland with Locksley before Michigan swooped in, so he was getting his shot somewhere.

Hunter Renfrow had a nice little parting shot toward Alabama.

Apparently he’s accusing Alabama of cheating at practice. Whatever.

Isaiah Buggs got some good news.

This is a ridiculously deep defensive line class, but you can still expect Buggs to be gone by the fourth round, I imagine.

Last, check out this trailer from “Football Matters” about its upcoming documentary covering football’s impact on Polynesian culture.

This should be pretty interesting to Alabama fans right now.

That’s about it for today. Have a great weekend.

Roll Tide.