From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 58 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
For every championship team there are a few players that fly under the radar, making significant contributions without necessarily making a name for themselves. Last season, when the University of Alabama beat LSU for its second title in three years, one of those understated athletes was No. 58 Nick Gentry.
Gentry wasn't the biggest, the fastest or the strongest player on the roster. He wasn't an NFL draft pick and didn't garner any All-American votes. In fact, he didn't even start for the Crimson Tide. But what he did do, he did well.
The native of Prattville, Ala., switched his game completely his senior season, going from a run-stopper to a pass-rusher. Gentry backed up Josh Chapman at nose tackle, and usually entered the game on third down. Despite being slightly under sized for the position, Gentry wreaked havoc in the middle of the line. He finished second on the team in sacks (4.5), fifth in tackles for loss (6), third in quarterback hurries (4) and even recovered one of the seven fumbles the UA defense picked up all season.
In the end, it was Gentry on the podium, smiling alongside the crystal football trophy.
Who will be this season's role players to make an impact? Vote inside The Tusk.
For every championship team there are a few players that fly under the radar, making significant contributions without necessarily making a name for themselves. Last season, when the University of Alabama beat LSU for its second title in three years, one of those understated athletes was No. 58 Nick Gentry.
Gentry wasn't the biggest, the fastest or the strongest player on the roster. He wasn't an NFL draft pick and didn't garner any All-American votes. In fact, he didn't even start for the Crimson Tide. But what he did do, he did well.
The native of Prattville, Ala., switched his game completely his senior season, going from a run-stopper to a pass-rusher. Gentry backed up Josh Chapman at nose tackle, and usually entered the game on third down. Despite being slightly under sized for the position, Gentry wreaked havoc in the middle of the line. He finished second on the team in sacks (4.5), fifth in tackles for loss (6), third in quarterback hurries (4) and even recovered one of the seven fumbles the UA defense picked up all season.
In the end, it was Gentry on the podium, smiling alongside the crystal football trophy.
Who will be this season's role players to make an impact? Vote inside The Tusk.
From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down from 100 until Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 59 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
The beginning of bowl games came in 1902 with the Tournament East-West game, sponsored by the Tournament of Roses Association. It pitted Michigan and Stanford against one another on Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl of Pasadena, Calif. Thus began the whirlwind ride of the college football postseason.
It took the University of Alabama more than two decades until an invitation to the postseason came. It was the Rose Bowl and the Crimson Tide took care of the Washington Huskies 20-19. Over the last 85 years, no team has gone to more bowl games than Alabama. The Tide have participated in college football's postseason 59 times over the years, winning 33 of those games.
Under coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide are 4-1 in bowl games. UA beat Colorado in the Independence Bowl in 2007, lost to Utah in the Sugar Bowl in 2009, beat Texas in the Rose Bowl to finish the season No. 1, dominated Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl in 2010 to the tune of 49-7 thrashing and capped the 2011-12 season by winning a rematch against LSU in the Sugar Bowl to take home the school's 14th national championship.
Saban's four bowl appearances at Alabama is bested only by Gene Stallings (5-1), Paul Bryant (12-10-2) and Frank Thomas (4-2). All told, Saban has gone to 13 bowl games in his career as a head coach.
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Tom Szczerbowski/US PresswireThe Rose Bowl was the site of Alabama's first bowl game.
Tom Szczerbowski/US PresswireThe Rose Bowl was the site of Alabama's first bowl game.It took the University of Alabama more than two decades until an invitation to the postseason came. It was the Rose Bowl and the Crimson Tide took care of the Washington Huskies 20-19. Over the last 85 years, no team has gone to more bowl games than Alabama. The Tide have participated in college football's postseason 59 times over the years, winning 33 of those games.
Under coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide are 4-1 in bowl games. UA beat Colorado in the Independence Bowl in 2007, lost to Utah in the Sugar Bowl in 2009, beat Texas in the Rose Bowl to finish the season No. 1, dominated Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl in 2010 to the tune of 49-7 thrashing and capped the 2011-12 season by winning a rematch against LSU in the Sugar Bowl to take home the school's 14th national championship.
Saban's four bowl appearances at Alabama is bested only by Gene Stallings (5-1), Paul Bryant (12-10-2) and Frank Thomas (4-2). All told, Saban has gone to 13 bowl games in his career as a head coach.
Four-star Safety Tray Matthews (Newnan, Ga./Newnan) and five-star linebacker Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn) have been best friends since middle school. But it was not until after Foster committed to Alabama and Matthews committed to Georgia last summer that the two ESPN 150 prospects began seriously discussing the possibility of playing together at the next level. The two have gone back and forth on the Tide and Bulldogs in the last year. Many wondered whether Matthews and Foster would actually go through with their December pledge to attend the same college. Following Foster’s latest visit to Athens, Matthews said an agreement has been made.
“We are having fun, but we talked last night and we really know where we want to go,” Matthews said. “We both decided on a school and we are the only two that know. A couple of people are not going to like the decision, but we have to do what is best for us. “
Matthews says they will make their announcement together before the beginning of the season, and he feels two others could be joining them.
“We are having fun, but we talked last night and we really know where we want to go,” Matthews said. “We both decided on a school and we are the only two that know. A couple of people are not going to like the decision, but we have to do what is best for us. “
Matthews says they will make their announcement together before the beginning of the season, and he feels two others could be joining them.
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The rundown
2011 record: 5-7
2011 conference record: 1-7
Returning starters: Offense: 10; defense: 8; kicker/punter: 2
2011 record: 5-7
2011 conference record: 1-7
Returning starters: Offense: 10; defense: 8; kicker/punter: 2
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From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down from 100 until Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 61 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesBear Bryant changed the face of college football while at Alabama.The 1960s were kind to the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide lost just 16 games, won 88, claimed four conference titles and took home three national championships. In 1966, UA didn't finish No. 1 despite going undefeated. Either way, the Crimson Tide won the decade and returned to prominence in a big way.
The reason for the turnaround after a subpar decade earlier? Paul 'Bear' Bryant. In 1958, Alabama's most legendary football coach heard Mama's call and went from Texas A&M to Tuscaloosa, and changed the history of college football in doing so.
In his first two seasons leading the Tide, Bryant won five and seven games. But in 1960, the light came on. UA went 8-1-2 and played in a bowl game. The next season, Bryant had the Tide undefeated and won the first of his six national championships at Alabama.
The 1960s produced legends like Billy Neighbors, Joe Namath, Ray Perkins and Kenny Stabler. Alabama won five bowl games and lost to Auburn just twice. The Tide finished outside of the Associated Press Top 25 just once, and two years later went 11-1 and won the SEC title.
Only the 1970s rival the success Alabama had in Bryant's first decade coaching in Tuscaloosa. The Tide won all but one conference title from 1970-79 and claimed three more national titles.
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesBear Bryant changed the face of college football while at Alabama.The reason for the turnaround after a subpar decade earlier? Paul 'Bear' Bryant. In 1958, Alabama's most legendary football coach heard Mama's call and went from Texas A&M to Tuscaloosa, and changed the history of college football in doing so.
In his first two seasons leading the Tide, Bryant won five and seven games. But in 1960, the light came on. UA went 8-1-2 and played in a bowl game. The next season, Bryant had the Tide undefeated and won the first of his six national championships at Alabama.
The 1960s produced legends like Billy Neighbors, Joe Namath, Ray Perkins and Kenny Stabler. Alabama won five bowl games and lost to Auburn just twice. The Tide finished outside of the Associated Press Top 25 just once, and two years later went 11-1 and won the SEC title.
Only the 1970s rival the success Alabama had in Bryant's first decade coaching in Tuscaloosa. The Tide won all but one conference title from 1970-79 and claimed three more national titles.
Head coach Anthony Grant and the Alabama basketball staff hosted another ESPN 100 prospect over the weekend as Memphis, Tenn., shooting guard JaJuan Johnson made an unofficial visit to UA on Saturday.
“It went good,” Johnson said. “They showed me the campus. It caught me by surprise. I didn’t think it was going to look like that. It was really big, the whole school itself, and [Coleman Coliseum] is a place I could see myself playing at. It has a real college atmosphere.”
On his visit, Johnson met with the entire coaching staff and had a one-on-one session with Grant. The two connected right away.
“It went good,” Johnson said. “They showed me the campus. It caught me by surprise. I didn’t think it was going to look like that. It was really big, the whole school itself, and [Coleman Coliseum] is a place I could see myself playing at. It has a real college atmosphere.”
On his visit, Johnson met with the entire coaching staff and had a one-on-one session with Grant. The two connected right away.
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Derrick Henry names Alabama his leader 
July, 2, 2012
7/02/12
5:45
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
It might not have come as much of a surprise, but Yulee, Fla., athlete Derrick Henry announced the University of Alabama as his leader on Monday via Twitter. The ESPN 150 star was relieved to finally get it out there.
“I just wanted to get it out of the way,” Henry said. “A lot of people have been thinking it, and a lot of people have been asking me about it, so I just wanted to get it out of the way and let everybody know. Now people can stop wondering and asking me.”
Last month, Henry decommitted from the University of Georgia after a visit to Tuscaloosa -- and it was that trip that has put the Crimson Tide on top.
“I just wanted to get it out of the way,” Henry said. “A lot of people have been thinking it, and a lot of people have been asking me about it, so I just wanted to get it out of the way and let everybody know. Now people can stop wondering and asking me.”
Last month, Henry decommitted from the University of Georgia after a visit to Tuscaloosa -- and it was that trip that has put the Crimson Tide on top.
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Forget all that might have been said about ESPN 300 athlete Chevoski Collins (Livingston, Texas/Livingston). There is no top three, and he is wide open with recruiting.
Ask him about Alabama, however, and there’s a different tone in his voice.
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The schedule for the third annual ESPN High School Football Kickoff was released Monday, and the event features 26 of the top high school teams from 15 states across the country. It will run from Aug. 24-26.
The three-day span of 13 games will showcase 11 recruits who are currently ranked in the ESPN 150, including University of Alabama targets Kendall Fuller (Olney, Md./Good Counsel), Jordan Cunningham (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School) and Derrick Green (Richmond, Va./Hermitage).
Click below for the full schedule of games.
ESPN High School Football Kickoff schedule
The three-day span of 13 games will showcase 11 recruits who are currently ranked in the ESPN 150, including University of Alabama targets Kendall Fuller (Olney, Md./Good Counsel), Jordan Cunningham (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University School) and Derrick Green (Richmond, Va./Hermitage).
Click below for the full schedule of games.
ESPN High School Football Kickoff schedule
RB Bo Scarbrough catches ride to Georgia
July, 2, 2012
7/02/12
10:41
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Running back Bo Scarbrough (Tuscaloosa, Ala./North Ridge) hitched a ride to the University of Georgia with the unlikeliest of travel companions on Friday. The class of 2014 standout made the trip from Tuscaloosa to Athens with ESPN 150 Alabama commit Reuben Foster (Auburn, Ala./Auburn). Foster, who normally destroys running backs, went out of his way to help Scarbrough visit Georgia.
“He had never been to Athens before so I said, ‘Let’s go.’ ” Foster said. “He had a great time. He is going to be a beast.”
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From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down from 100 to 1 until Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 61 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
Recently in our countdown to the season opener against Michigan, we've talked a lot about Alabama's offensive line. It's been only natural when you consider the numbers of each player. Today we'll wrap up the talk of the big uglies with No. 61 Anthony Steen.
Steen may not have the name recognition of a Barrett Jones, D.J. Fluker or Chance Warmack. He may not even been on the tip of people's tongue like sophomore Cyrus Kouandjio. But if the Crimson Tide are hoping to have the best offensive line in the country this season, Steen will have a heavy influence on the outcome. The junior from Mississippi started the majority of games last season and should be the man at right guard, sandwiched between Jones at center and Fluker at right tackle.
The 6-foot-3, 303-pound guard was part of the 2009 signing class, and actually entered school as the No. 39 defensive tackle in the country, according to ESPN. He redshirted that year and transitioned to the offensive line, serving as a backup in 2010 and started the final two games of the season when Jones was sidelined by injury.
Recently in our countdown to the season opener against Michigan, we've talked a lot about Alabama's offensive line. It's been only natural when you consider the numbers of each player. Today we'll wrap up the talk of the big uglies with No. 61 Anthony Steen.
Steen may not have the name recognition of a Barrett Jones, D.J. Fluker or Chance Warmack. He may not even been on the tip of people's tongue like sophomore Cyrus Kouandjio. But if the Crimson Tide are hoping to have the best offensive line in the country this season, Steen will have a heavy influence on the outcome. The junior from Mississippi started the majority of games last season and should be the man at right guard, sandwiched between Jones at center and Fluker at right tackle.
The 6-foot-3, 303-pound guard was part of the 2009 signing class, and actually entered school as the No. 39 defensive tackle in the country, according to ESPN. He redshirted that year and transitioned to the offensive line, serving as a backup in 2010 and started the final two games of the season when Jones was sidelined by injury.
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Five-star cornerback prospect Vernon Hargreaves III (Tampa, Fla./Wharton) won defensive MVP of the IMG Madden 7-on-7 National Championship tournament on Sunday after Team Tampa beat Max Ex Blue 28-17 to win the tournament.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound athlete had several interceptions over the course of the two-day tournament, including one against Michigan quarterback commit Shane Morris in the championship game.
As for recruiting, the talented corner who has more than 50 scholarship offers said three schools are starting to stand out to him.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound athlete had several interceptions over the course of the two-day tournament, including one against Michigan quarterback commit Shane Morris in the championship game.
As for recruiting, the talented corner who has more than 50 scholarship offers said three schools are starting to stand out to him.
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LB commit Foster talks Georgia visit
July, 1, 2012
7/01/12
5:34
PM ET
By DawgNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN 150 RB Alvin Kamara eyes state title
July, 1, 2012
7/01/12
4:35
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- ESPN 150 four-star running back Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) usually deflects all questions about his personal goals about as easily as he sheds defenders on the field. That is, until he is asked about which Peach State tailback is going to win next season’s rushing title.
“Oh, that is hard to say,” said Kamara, ranked the No. 5 running back in the nation. “I mean with Gwinnett, we are in the hardest region out here, regardless of what anybody else says. I think it will be between me and Tyren, no discredit to Tyshon Dye (Elberton, Ga./Elbert Co.) and the other guys. I mean Tyren had it last year. He tore it up. Of course they give him the ball every play … ”
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From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down from 100 to 1 until Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 62 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
In the history of junior college transfers at the University of Alabama, few registered a higher impact than the former nose tackle who wore No. 62 for the Crimson Tide. Terrence Cody, better known to some as Mount Cody for his other worldly size, was an instant impact at UA.
Cody tipped the scales at 6-foot-5, 365 pounds in Tuscaloosa after spending two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Coach Nick Saban plugged in the space eater into the heart of his defense in 2008, and never looked back. In his first season with the Tide, Cody became a consensus All-American. The following year his impact was felt on another level. In the Tide's championship run in 2009, it was Cody who saved UA's title chances with a play that would be known simply as "Rocky Block."
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Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesFormer Tide player Terrence Cody made a major impact at Alabama.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesFormer Tide player Terrence Cody made a major impact at Alabama.Cody tipped the scales at 6-foot-5, 365 pounds in Tuscaloosa after spending two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Coach Nick Saban plugged in the space eater into the heart of his defense in 2008, and never looked back. In his first season with the Tide, Cody became a consensus All-American. The following year his impact was felt on another level. In the Tide's championship run in 2009, it was Cody who saved UA's title chances with a play that would be known simply as "Rocky Block."
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.