TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa announced at a press conference on Monday that he will forego his senior season to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.

Jerry Jeudy, Xavier McKinney and Jedrick Wills Jr. announced earlier on social media that they will also enter the Draft. Alex Leatherwood, Dylan Moses and DeVonta Smith have confirmed they will return to Alabama for their final year of eligibility.

With the win, the Crimson Tide has now tallied 39 bowl/postseason wins, the most in college football history

ORLANDO, Fla. – No. 13 Alabama football beat No. 14 Michigan, 35-16, in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in the first game of the new year. With the win, the Crimson Tide climbs to 11-2 for the season, while the Wolverines fall to 9-4. The victory gave Alabama its ninth consecutive season with 11-or-more wins, the longest streak in the poll era (since 1936).

Junior wide receiver Jerry Jeudy used a career day to earn Citrus Bowl MVP honors, totaling a career-high 204 receiving yards on just six catches, averaging 34 yards per reception, including an 85-yard touchdown catch from redshirt sophomore quarterback Mac Jones on the Tide’s first offensive play of the game. Jones went 16-for-25 for 327 yards and three touchdowns through the air with completions to six different targets.

Junior defensive back Xavier McKinney and redshirt senior linebacker Anfernee Jennings had 10 total tackles apiece to lead the Crimson Tide defense. Freshman linebacker Shane Lee led UA with seven solo stops and had nine tackles overall. McKinney and Lee both came up with sacks while Jennings and senior defensive lineman Tevita Musika combined for a third sack. Senior defensive back Shyheim Carter and sophomore defensive back Josh Jobe came up with interceptions, both of which came in the second half.

How It Happened

• Alabama opened the game and the second half with a pair of long touchdown catches, with Jones connecting with Jeudy for an 85-yard strike on the Tide’s first offensive play of the day before opening the second half with a 42-yard touchdown toss to junior wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
• In between the Tide’s first two passing touchdowns, Najee Harris leapt into the endzone for a nine-yard touchdown in the second quarter, giving him a rushing touchdown for the seventh game in a row
• Michigan scored four times in the first half, with a first-quarter touchdown and three field goals, including a 57-yarder to close the first half
• In the fourth quarter, redshirt junior tight end Miller Forristall scored on a 20-yard reception from Jones in his first game back after missing the final four regular-season games
• Harris iced the game by going up the middle to punch it in for a two-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to make it 35-16, the final score

Players of the Game

• Jeudy finished the game with six receptions for a career-best 204 yards, starting with an 85-yard touchdown grab on the Tide’s first offensive play of the game
• Jeudy’s 85-yard reception from Jones was the second longest completion in Citrus Bowl history
• Jeudy’s 204 receiving yards put him over 1,000 yards for a season for the second time in his Alabama career, giving him 1,163 yards in 2019
• Jones threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns, spreading the ball to six different receivers, including three that scored touchdowns
• Harris accounted for 24 of the Tides’ 30 rushes, rolling up 136 yards and two touchdowns, including 69 yards in the fourth quarter, giving him 1,262 rushing yards on the season

Key Stats

• After allowing 286 yards of total offense and 16 points in the first half, Alabama’s defense held Michigan to just 109 yards and zero points in the second half
• Alabama outgained the Wolverines, 480-395, in total offense, including a nearly 100-yard differential through the air, 327-233

The 2019 Season

• Alabama finished the 2019 season with its NCAA-best 67^th bowl trip and tallied its 39^th bowl/postseason win, the most in college football history
• The Crimson Tide has won 10-or-more games each of the last 12 years and totaled 11-or-more wins the last nine years in a row

Crimson Tide takes part in final practice Monday afternoon in preparation for Citrus Bowl

ORLANDO, Fla. – Alabama football’s junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was named the winner of the 2019 Bobby Bowden Award on Monday.

The Bobby Bowden award recognizes the Division I player who epitomizes a student-athlete from a faith perspective. He must conduct himself as an exemplary model in the classroom, on the field, on the campus and in the community. The award is named after former Florida State University head football coach Bobby Bowden.

Monday morning began with the annual Vrbo Citrus Bowl Day for Kids event at Fun Spot America. The Day for Kids partners local children with players from both schools for a few hours of fun and games. The majority of the 200 kids in attendance live in the West Lakes communities surrounding Camping World Stadium.

Following the morning activity, the Crimson Tide boarded the bus and headed to Celebration High School for Alabama’s last of 12 total practices in preparation for the 2019 Vrbo Citrus Bowl. Alabama and Michigan will meet at Camping World Stadium on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, with a 12 p.m. CT kickoff. The game will air live on ABC.

Alabama practiced for two hours in full pads on UCF campus

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Alabama football team worked out for two hours in full pads at Nicholson Fieldhouse on the campus of UCF on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s session was Alabama’s 10th of 12 total practices leading up to the matchup with Michigan in the 2019 Vrbo Citrus Bowl. The Crimson Tide and Wolverines are set for a 12 p.m. CT kickoff on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, with the game airing live on ABC.

After practice, student-athletes Mac Jones and Jedrick Wills Jr. spoke with the media briefly.

Crimson Tide worked for two hours on Tuesday afternoon at Celebration High School

 ORLANDO, Fla. – The Alabama football team took part in its second practice in Orlando, Fla., on Friday afternoon, working two hours in full pads at Celebration High School.

Today’s session was Alabama’s ninth of 12 total practices leading up to the matchup with Michigan in the 2019 Vrbo Citrus Bowl. The Crimson Tide and Wolverines are set for a 12 p.m. CT kickoff on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, with the game airing live on ABC.

After practice, head coach Nick Saban along with student-athletes Anfernee Jennings and Shyheim Carter took part in a quick press conference.

The Crimson Tide will wrap up the on-campus portion of bowl prep on Sunday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Crimson Tide put in another two hours of work on Saturday with a two-hour session in full pads at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.

Saturday’s session was the sixth of seven bowl practices in Tuscaloosa before the holiday break and 12 practices overall prior to Alabama’s matchup against No. 14 Michigan in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The Crimson Tide will face the Wolverines on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, with the game airing live on ABC at 12 p.m. CT. Dave Pasch and Greg McElroy will call the matchup from the booth while Tom Luginbill will work the sidelines.

The Crimson Tide will wrap up the on-campus portion of its bowl preparations with a brief workout on Sunday.

Friday’s session was the fifth of seven bowl practices in Tuscaloosa

 TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama Crimson Tide put in another two hours of work on Friday, practicing in full pads at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.

Today’s session was the fifth of seven bowl practices in Tuscaloosa before the holiday break and 12 practices overall prior to Alabama’s matchup against No. 14 Michigan in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The Crimson Tide will face the Wolverines on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, with the game airing live on ABC at 12 p.m. CT. Dave Pasch and Greg McElroy will call the matchup from the booth while Tom Luginbill will work the sidelines.

Alabama and Michigan will meet for the fifth time in the history of the two storied programs

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama football team held its fourth workout of the postseason on Thursday, working for two hours outdoors on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.

Today’s afternoon session was the fourth of seven bowl practices in Tuscaloosa before the holiday break and No. 4 out of a total of 12 practices prior to Alabama’s matchup against No. 14 Michigan in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The Crimson Tide will face the Wolverines on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, with the game airing live on ABC at 12 p.m. CT. Dave Pasch and Greg McElroy will call the matchup from the booth while Tom Luginbill will work the sidelines.

The Crimson Tide and Wolverines will meet for the fifth time in the history of the series that dates back to 1988. Both teams have claimed two victories apiece with the most recent pairing featuring a 41-14 Alabama win over Michigan in the 2012 Cowboys Classic in Arlington, Texas.

The sophomore received honors from the Football Writers Association of America

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama wide receiver/return specialist Jaylen Waddle was selected as a First Team All-American at returner by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), the organization announced on Thursday. The first-team honors are the second for the sophomore, who was also selected to The Sporting News’ first team earlier this week.

FIRST TEAM

Jaylen Waddle, Returner

• 2019 SEC Special Teams Player of the Year
• Leads the nation in punt return average at 24.9 yards per return with 19 returns for 474 yards and a score
• Has returned four kickoffs for 152 yards and a touchdown
• Added 553 yards and six touchdowns on 32 catches as a wide receiver
• Received first team All-America accolades from Pro Football Focus and The Sporting News
• Selected as a second-teamer for All-America honors by the Associated Press and Walter Camp

Crimson Tide adds 22 student-athletes on first day of early signing period

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama football announced the addition of wide receiver Traeshon Holden and running back Jase McClellan to its 2020 recruiting class on Wednesday night.

The addition of Holden and McClellan ups the Crimson Tide’s class to 22 student-athletes in the early period.

The 22 high school players come from eight states – Alabama (9), California (2) Florida (3), Georgia (3), Louisiana (1), Maryland (1), Ohio (1) and Texas (2). Listed by position, the Crimson Tide added to its roster – four players apiece at linebacker, defensive back and defensive linemen, along with three running backs, two offensive linemen, a pair of wide receivers and one player at quarterback, tight end and athlete.

Among the 22 players are:

• Three five-star prospects (by at least one of the following: 247Sports, 247Composite, Rivals.com): Chris Braswell, Drew Sanders and Bryce Young
• All 22 student-athletes are listed as a four-star prospect by at least one of the following: 247Sports, Rivals.com and/or ESPN.com
• Seventeen players were ranked in the ESPN300: William Anderson Jr., Brian Branch, Chris Braswell, Jackson Bratton, Traeshon Holden, Thaiu Jones-Bell, Demouy Kennedy, Jah-Marien Latham, Jase McClellan, Seth McLaughlin, Malachi Moore, Quandarrius Robinson, Drew Sanders, Timothy Smith, Kristian Story, Roydell Williams and Bryce Young
• Seventeen players were listed on the Rivals250: William Anderson Jr., Brian Branch, Chris Braswell, Jackson Bratton, Traeshon Holden, Thaiu Jones-Bell, Demouy Kennedy, Jah-Marien Latham, Jase McClellan, Malachi Moore, Jahquez Robinson, Quandarrius Robinson, Drew Sanders, Timothy Smith, Kristian Story, Roydell Williams and Bryce Young
• Nine players were listed on the Rivals100: Brian Branch, Chris Braswell, Demouy Kennedy, Jase McClellan, Quandarrius Robinson, Drew Sanders, Timothy Smith, Roydell Williams and Bryce Young

2020 Alabama Early Signing Day Roster – Signees (22)

NAME                            POS       HT           WT                         HOMETOWN/SCHOOL

William Anderson Jr.       DL         6-4           230                         Hampton, Ga./Dutchtown

Brian Branch                   DB         6-0           185                         Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek

Chris Braswell                 DL         6-3           220                         Baltimore, Md./St. Frances Academy

Jackson Bratton              LB          6-3           233                         Muscle Shoals, Ala./Muscle Shoals

Caden Clark                   TE          6-4           258                         Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban

Javion Cohen                  OL         6-4           296                         Phenix City, Ala./Central

Kyle Edwards                 RB         6-0           205                         Destrehan, La./Destrehan

Traeshon Holden            WR        6-3           196                         Harbor City, Calif./Narbonne

Thaiu Jones-Bell             WR        6-0           190                         Hallandale, Fla./Miami Carol City

Demouy Kennedy           LB          6-3           215                         Theodore, Ala./Theodore

Jah-Marien Latham         DL         6-3           297                         Reform, Ala./Pickens County

Jase McClellan               RB         5-11         200                         Aledo, Texas/Aledo

Seth McLaughlin             OL         6-4           278                         Buford, Ga./Buford

Malachi Moore                DB         6-0           180                         Trussville, Ala./Hewitt-Trussville

Jahquez Robinson          DB         6-2           185                         Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood

Quandarrius Robinson    LB          6-5           220                         Birmingham, Ala./Jackson-Olin

Drew Sanders                 LB          6-5           230                         Denton, Texas/Ryan

Timothy Smith                DL         6-4           325                         Sebastian, Fla./Sebastian River

Kristian Story                  ATH       6-1           213                         Lanett, Ala./Lanett

Ronald Williams              DB         6-2           188                         Ferriday, La./Hutchinson C.C./Ferriday

Roydell Williams             RB         5-10         207                         Hueytown, Ala./Hueytown

Bryce Young                  QB         6-0           190                         Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei

PLAYER BIOS

TRAESHON HOLDEN

WR, 6-3, 196, Harbor City, Calif./Narbonne

Athletic wide receiver with size who earned four-star rankings across the board … the No. 26 overall prep prospect in California by Rivals.com and No. 244 on the Rivals250 … the Golden State’s 14th-rated player by 247Sports and No. 19 on the 247Composite … ranked by ESPN.com as the No. 37 player in the West Region and No. 21 player from California … the nation’s No. 20^th-rated wide receiver per 247Sports …  the site also lists him as the No. 128 prospect nationally … selected as a Top 350 All-American by PrepStar … transferred from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Md., to Narbonne High School in Harbor City, Calif. for his final prep season … finished his senior campaign with 31 catches for 512 yards and seven touchdowns across seven games of action … selected to play in the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame World Bowl in Cancun, Mexico  … coached by Manuel Douglas at Narbonne High School in Harbor City, Calif. … chose the Crimson Tide over Clemson, Florida, Oregon and USC among others.

++++++++++

JASE McCLELLAN

RB, 5-11, 200, Aledo, Texas/Aledo

One of the nation’s top running back prospects and a big get out of the state of Texas late in the early signing day window … a consensus four-star prospect … ranked 43^rd nationally in the 247Composite … the No. 8 running back and No. 6 player in the state of Texas in the composite … ESPN ranks him as the No. 34 player in the country, the No. 5 running back, No. 6 player in the Midlands Region and the fifth-best prospect in Texas … No. 60 in the Rivals100, ranking as the No. 7 running back and No. 6 player in the state … 74^th in the Top247 and the site’s No. 8 running back and No. 6 player in Texas … selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game … competed in Nike’s “The Opening” … led his team to the Texas 6A-Division II State Championship game in 2019, which will be played on Dec. 21 … has rushed for 1,268 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior … has totaled 6,468 yards on 842 career carries with 122 touchdowns while catching 28 passes for 429 yards and three more scores … rushed for 2,073 yards and 47 touchdowns as a junior in 2018 … Class 5A All-State selection as a junior in 2018 … scored 28 touchdowns while rushing for 1,599 yards on 203 carries during his sophomore season (2017) while missing six games due to injury … rushed for 1,528 yards and 20 scores as a true freshman, earning MaxPreps All-Freshman Team National Player of the Year … also named the state championship game MVP as a freshman … played for head coach Tim Buchanan at Aledo High School … chose Alabama over Oklahoma after being a Sooner pledge for almost two years.