Keith Holcombe gives verbal to Alabama

Keith Holcombe, whose father (Danny) played under the legendary Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in the early 1980s, has given his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama for 2014.

Holcombe, a linebacker at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, “flipped” his verbal from Mississippi State to the Crimson Tide this afternoon upon receiving a scholarship offer.

Keith Holcombe, LB from Hillcrest HS in Tuscaloosa reports that he has switched his commitment from #MissSt to #Alabama.
— Andrew Bone (@AndrewJBone) July 30, 2013

Listed as a three-star prospect per Rivals.com, Holcombe stands 6-foot-4 and tops the scale at 209-pounds.

Prior to giving his verbal commitment, Alabama’s 17th pledge in respect to the 2014 signing class, Holcombe’s football and medical story was featured on WBRC FOX 6 in Birmingham.

Check out @scottgriffinsz piece at 9:45 pm on Hillcrest linebacker Keith Holcombe. He's a diabetic who is being looked at by Vandy, MSU, UA.
— Rick Karle (@RickKarle) July 11, 2013

OL Bradley Bozeman to join Tide this week

Freshman offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman will arrive at the University of Alabama this week. Like so many other Tide freshmen, who were not early enrollees to the program, Bozeman will take part in his very first practice as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team when preseason camp begins August 2.

So, what makes his story different?

Bozeman, until earlier this week, wasn’t suppose to arrive at the University of Alabama until January 2014, and he certainly wasn’t supposed to be on the 2013 football roster.

Per Al.com... (click text for complete story)

After spending his offseason planning to grayshirt this fall before enrolling in January, Alabama football signee Bradley Bozeman received some surprising news on Tuesday.

"They called me and told me to head down and join the team," Bozeman said.

The 6-foot-5, 306-pound offensive lineman from Handley High in Roanoke signed in February with the intent to delay his enrollment until January of 2014 after suffering an ACL tear during his senior season last fall. Bozeman said the Crimson Tide coaching staff had told him this summer that there was still a possibility he could enroll in time for the 2013 season but he wasn't given the green light until Tuesday morning.

What does the addition of Bozeman mean in respect to the 2013 roster? A number of things…

In the comment section of the article, the author of the piece, Matt Scalici, mentions the departure of quarterback Phillip Ely as the reason a spot is now open for Bozeman.

However, speculation continues to swirl that Bozeman is taking the place of a player who has yet to be named in a public fashion. The scenarios consist of a 2013 signee who failed to qualify, or an early enrollee who has been dismissed from the team.

At any rate, Bozeman is officially a member of the 2013 squad.

As for the truth in respect to what player and/or situation created the spot for Bozeman, expect Nick Saban to address that issue and many others come August 2.

Christian Miller gives verbal to Alabama

Spring Valley High School (Columbia, SC) linebacker Christian Miller has given his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama for 2014.

Miller, who stands 6-foot-4 and tops the scale at 215-pounds, made his pledge public via Facebook.

Christian Miller's facebook status reads: "Officially committed to THE University of Alabama. Roll Tide." #Bama
— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) July 25, 2013

Listed as a four-star prospect per Rivals.com, and the fifth-ranked outside linebacker in the country, Miller selected Alabama over the likes of Florida, Georgia, and UCLA.

With his pledge to ‘Bama, Christian Miller becomes the 16th verbal commitment in respect to the 2014 signing class.

SEC Media Days: Sportswriters crown Alabama

Sportswriters packed the Wynfrey Hotel this week for the 2013 edition of SEC Media Days, and this morning, on the final day of the annual media circus, the SEC “Prom King” and his runners-up were selected.

Below is the projected order of finish for each division, as well as the projected conference champion. The parenthetical numbers identify the total number of first-place votes placed for each team.

As per usual, these prognostications could very well provide great fodder come early December.

EASTERN DIVISION
Georgia (149) - 1570
South Carolina (75) - 1474
Florida (19) - 1300
Vanderbilt - 858
Tennessee - 694
Missouri - 577
Kentucky - 331

WESTERN DIVISION
Alabama (225) - 1681
Texas A&M (11) - 1333
LSU (7) - 1324
Ole Miss - 883
Auburn - 579
Mississippi State - 516
Arkansas - 488

SEC CHAMPION
Alabama - 182
Georgia - 38
South Carolina - 18
Texas A&M - 4
LSU - 1

SEC Media Days: Tide players take center stage

The University of Alabama football team was represented by quarterback AJ McCarron, linebacker C.J. Mosley, and offensive lineman Anthony Steen at the 2013 edition of SEC Media Days.

With the obvious exception of one Johnny Manziel, McCarron was arguably the most anticipated player representative to appear at the annual media gathering. McCarron, who sported a bow tie in honor of his cousin who is currently battling breast cancer, was the definition of well-mannered and professional during his time at the Wynfrey Hotel.

AJ McCarron wearing a breast cancer bow tie at SEC Media Day in honor of his cousin. pic.twitter.com/vSEtIlpcXG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 18, 2013
 

In respect to McCarron's thoughts on a variety of topics...

"My job's playing football, not being a celebrity off the field." AJ McCarron
— Roll Bama Roll (@rollbamaroll) July 18, 2013

"I don't speak on another man's business. That's how I was raised."-- AJ McCarron on Manziel.
— Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) July 18, 2013

As is standard protocol, each player met the media (various outlets) during Alabama's Thursday session and responded to assorted questions concerning the upcoming season and the 2013 squad.

While McCarron was certainly the "main eventer" of the Alabama player representatives, C.J. Mosley and Anthony Steen, both senior leaders, also provided a great deal of content in respect to various issues and expectations regarding the 2013 Crimson Tide.

Additional McCarron quotes: CLICK HERE
Linebacker C.J. Mosley: CLICK HERE
Offensive lineman Anthony Steen: CLICK HERE

SEC Media Days: The Nick Saban synopsis

University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban addressed the media Thursday afternoon during the final session of SEC Media Days 2013.

As per the usual order of business at the annual media (circus) gathering, Saban began the proceedings with a general statement which touched on several notable issues. Those issues included, but were not limited to, the strength of the University of Alabama administration, the positive commitment of both the players and fans, and the importance of student-athlete development in all aspects of life.

I give you the Nick Saban entrance, #Bama fans. https://t.co/uuJxnLl2rx
— Keri Potts (@MsPotts_ESPN) July 18, 2013

Following his opening statement, Saban fielded roughly 13 questions from various media members. The questions, as usual, were wide-ranging. While a few questions directly involved the state of the 2013 Alabama football team and program, many covered a broader spectrum relative to SEC and national issues in college football.

--Click HERE to read the full transcript--

Itinerary released for 2013 SEC Media Days

As noted in a prior post, the official SEC Media Days itinerary would be released July 10. The day of note has arrived, and listed below is what fans and media members can expect next week.

The times, as always, are subject to change.

Dates: July 16-18

Location: Wynfrey Hotel (Hoover, Alabama)

Schedule -- Tuesday, July 16

12:30 p.m.: Commissioner Mike Slive

Florida 1 - 3:40 p.m.
Head Coach Will Muschamp
Junior, QB, Jeff Driskel
Senior, DL, Dominique Easley
Senior, OL, Jon Halapio

Missouri 1 - 3:40 p.m.
Head Coach Gary Pinkel
Senior, QB, James Franklin
Senior, WR, L’Damian Washington
Senior, LB, Andrew Wilson

Ole Miss 3:50 - 6:20 p.m.
Head Coach Hugh Freeze
Junior, WR, Donte Moncrief
Senior, LB, Mike Marry
Junior, QB, Bo Wallace

South Carolina 3:50 - 6:20 p.m.
Head Coach Steve Spurrier
Junior, DE, Jadeveon Clowney
Junior, WR/KR, Bruce Ellington
Senior, QB, Connor Shaw

Wednesday, July 17

8:10 a.m.: Steve Shaw, SEC Coordinator of Officials

Texas A&M 8:30 - 11:10 a.m.
Head Coach Kevin Sumlin
Senior, DB, Toney Hurd, Jr.
Sophomore, QB, Johnny Manziel
Senior, OT, Jake Matthews

Kentucky 8:30 - 11:10 a.m.
Head Coach Mark Stoops
Senior, DT, Donte Rumph
Senior, RB, Raymond Sanders
Senior, LB, Avery Williamson

Mississippi State 11:20 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Head Coach Dan Mullen
Junior, DL, Kaleb Eulls
Sophomore, LB, Benardrick McKinney
Senior, QB, Tyler Russell

Tennessee 11:20 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Head Coach Butch Jones
Junior, OL, Antonio Richardson
Senior, OL, Ja'Wuan James
Senior, DL, Jacques Smith

Auburn 12:20 - 5 p.m.
Head Coach Gus Malzahn
Senior, CB, Chris Davis
Senior, DE, Dee Ford
Senior, FB, Jay Prosch

Arkansas 12:20 - 5 p.m.
Head Coach Bret Bielema
Senior, DE, Chris Smith
Senior, C, Travis Swanson
Senior, FB, Kiero Small

Thursday, July 18

LSU 8:30 - 11:10 a.m.
Head Coach Les Miles
Junior, WR, Jarvis Landry
Senior, S, Craig Loston
Senior, QB, Zach Mettenberger

Georgia 8:30 - 11:10 a.m.
Head Coach Mark Richt
Senior, TE, Arthur Lynch
Senior, QB, Aaron Murray
Senior, DE, Garrison Smith

Alabama 11:20 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Head Coach Nick Saban
Senior, QB, AJ McCarron
Senior, LB, C.J. Mosley
Senior, OL, Anthony Steen

Vanderbilt 11:20 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Head Coach James Franklin
Senior, CB, Andre Hal
Senior, OT, Wesley Johnson
Senior, WR, Jordan Matthews

SEC Media Days to commence July 16

Dates: July 16-18

Location: Wynfrey Hotel (Hoover, Alabama)

Times: TBA (Will update in future post)

In respect to player representation...

MT ‏@BrentZwerneman SEC will announce next week's media days attendees at 10 am this WED. Expect Manziel to be on list.
— Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) July 8, 2013

Tuesday, July 16

Florida
Ole Miss
Missouri
South Carolina

Wednesday, July 17

Arkansas
Auburn
Kentucky
Mississippi State
Tennessee
Texas A&M

Thursday, July 18

Alabama
Georgia
LSU
Vanderbilt

Montel McBride gives verbal to Alabama

Plant City High School (Plant City, FL) offensive guard Montel McBride has given his verbal commitment to the University of Alabama for 2014.

OL Montel McBride (@blindside6955) of Plant City, Fla., tells me he has picked #Alabama. pic.twitter.com/6k70E1i2z1
— Keith Niebuhr (@Niebuhr247) July 2, 2013

McBride, who stands 6-foot-4 and tops the scale at 332-pounds, is a three-star prospect per Rivals.com. While listed as an offensive lineman, McBride could see action at the defensive tackle position for the Tide.

Rated as the No. 21 offensive lineman in the 2014 national class, McBride selected Alabama over the likes of Auburn, Florida State, and Mississippi State.

With his pledge to the Crimson Tide, Montel McBride becomes the 15th verbal commitment in respect to the 2014 signing class.