Goodbye Will Anderson, hello to his clone – perhaps an afterthought for many fans of the Tide in November (or an extremely optimistic pickup truck), the 5-star EDGE was unanimously hailed as the best pass-rusher in the 2023 class. Notre Dame secured their commitment, although Ohio State and Georgia were also in the mix.
But one team just never gave up: Alabama. And in this All-American Bowl, he made an immediate impact.
“Keon Keeley was perhaps the most dominant pass rusher in this game since Will Anderson, who dominated this event three years ago. He is physically ready to make an impact in Tuscaloosa. Just a very quick and tenacious pass rusher that often makes linemen look like they’re standing on concrete. If he doesn’t win with his first quick step, he also wins with his engine and his ability to get out of blocks and be a factor in that regard. The #1 edge rusher in the country has been announced.
But he wasn’t alone, as four-star edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre was a one-man wrecking crew for the western squadron.
Yhonzae Pierre has been the most disruptive player on the West team. A blur outside the edge. He can also really bend and twist his body. He can put himself in a position where attackers cannot go. So the exciting thing about Yhonzae, when you look at Keeley you see a collegiate body, when you look at Yhonzae you see someone who has a physical advantage to get stronger with his quickness, athleticism and body torque.
There are great classes, then there are the subscription classes you just took to know will pay. Alabama’s 2008 and 2017 groups come to mind. This group, with guys like Haynes and Keeley and Downs, gives me the same vibe.
and there are some dogs in this class too.
Full story here.
They weren’t alone in the production either:
Defensively, forward Jordan Renaud made a game-leading five solo tackles. Desmond Ricks, the last five-star to join the Class of 2023, recorded four tackles.
But, RB Richard Young had two fumbles in just 10 touches, and that invites some bench time in Alabama. Hopefully it was punctual. Ball safety was never among the concerns of Young’s game.
Damar Hamlin’s horrific injury opened a slot on Bill’s 53-man roster, and with it, a chance for Tide’s Jared Mayden to finally get a look at the live photos.
Mayden has been floating around practice squads for a few years and has been an undrafted free agent, but with backup Hamlin pressured into the starting job, Mayden has a great chance of seeing special teams snaps and dime looks (and , with some fairness, where he had his best success in college as well).
In the hive of scum and villainy known as College Station, the noted ethicist of our time, Jimbo Fisher, decided that hitching his wagon to a rapist at FSU (supposedly) and a murderer now at Texas A&M (supposedly) just wasn’t right. quite.
He has now decided to add one of the game’s dirtiest elements to his team: the job-seeking, womanizing, and legal liability Bobby Petrino disaster.
Look, the guy can still train offenses. Everybody knows it. But even Aggie Man isn’t happy adding to the team he Also includes DJ Durkin. Rhetorically (or perhaps not, in hindsight), many have wondered why not Art Briles which trended nationally on Twitter.
Reckless. Myopic. Totally corrupt. It adapts perfectly to the culture of Jimbo.
And none of that will matter when, once again, A&M is 8-5 at the end of the season and reeling from a loss in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Before he played a single minute on the regular season ball, we had consigned ourselves to the fact that star Brandon Miller was, to be sure, a one-of-a-kind talent. It did nothing but solidify that projection.
The rookie star was named to the Wooden POTY Midseason Watch List, one of 25 players the Wooden Foundation focused on this year’s MVP and one of only four freshmen on the roster.
Brandon Miller Notes
Honored three times as SEC Freshman of the Week
Miller is one of 10 Division I players, the only SEC player, and the only freshman in the country to score 260 points and record 120 rebounds this season.
Brandon Miller is averaging 19.1 points per game, the most for any rookie in the nation and #34 overall
Nominated to Naismith Trophy preseason roster
Nominated to the 2023 Julius Erving Award Watch List
2023 Preseason All-SEC Second Team Selection
2023 Media Preseason All-SEC Second Team Honoree
As Nate Oats said yesterday, “let’s enjoy it for the year we have it”
Alabama has had four players drafted under head coach Nate Oats, including two first-14 picks (Kira Lewis in 2020 and Josh Primo in 2021). Herb Jones in 2021 and JD Davison in 2022 were also second round selections. Oats praised the quartet for being the high character boys they were and said Miller “follows that same example” this year.
But, being essentially a 6-foot-1 combined guard, Miller also stands out from the pack.
“He’s a great kid with a good personality, works hard, really cares about his team,” said Oats. “It’s good to have the best player on the court most nights when you go out as a coach. Makes my job a little easier. He can create some offense, make some tough plays when you’re struggling a bit. Let’s enjoy it during the year we have it. He’s going to be really good next year in the NBA. He’s been really good to us.”
The #7 Alabama Crimson Tide hit the woodwork this Saturday to face their foil, the only team in the country that you can fairly say has consistently dominated Alabama: the staggering but dangerous Kentucky Wildcats.
I’d love to see Alabama avenge some of those 20-point Rupp losses…but I’ll settle for a W of any kind.
John Metchie III.
Jameson Williams.
Phil Mathis.
Jalyn Armour-Davis.
Josh Jobe.
Marvin Harrison II.
Now, add TCU’s top running back, and perhaps the most crucial cog to this offense: injured TCU RB Kendre Miller.
Miller is the home run hitter for that offense and has tallied 1,400 yards and 17 scores. That home run threat on the ground is what makes Duggan dangerous.
Enchanted living through wounded opponents. The Kirby Smart way since 2021.
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