Jumbo Package: Alabama is one step closer to getting the offensive depth chart solidified

Kicking things off, we got a presser from Ryan Grubb where the notoriously loose-lipped OC gave us a handful of nuggets. First, it sound like they plan to name the starting QB next week. So that’ll be sure to cause a commotion.

Some other notes:

1. The way Grubb talked about RB Trae’shawn Brown, talking about his anticipation as a runner and exceptional pass blocking, in contrast with him talking about Kevin Riley as a really intelligent guy who’s trying to keep his weight up, makes me think we might be seeing a lot more of Brown than maybe most have been expecting.
2. Sounds like Mal Waldrep and Jayvin James are the leaders at left guard and right tackle. Will Sanders and Nick Brooks are in competition for the spots… But they’re coming from a place of trying to unseat the first two.
3. Marshall Pritchett is going to be the primary pass-catching tight end.
4. The glowing praise about Ryan Coleman-Williams’ work ethic and improvement is great to hear. Not sure I’ve ever heard Grubb that overwhelmingly positive about something.

And here’s the catch from yesterday’s practice that everyone has been talking about:

Wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks was back at practice after Kalen DeBoer announced following Thursday’s scrimmage that he didn’t participate in the scrimmage and would miss a couple of practices. Brooks’ participation on Monday doesn’t necessarily indicate that he is fully back, as we only saw three periods (roughly 15 minutes), and he appeared to be favoring his right leg when we spotted him. His participation in individual work is likely part of his rehab process.

Hopefully, whatever it is that has Lotzeir Brooks sidelined proves to be a minor thing that’s long gone when the season rolls around. It sounds like he’s already back out there doing things, so now we just need to hope it’s not a lingering type of issue.

If you’re interested, the Tuscaloosa News gave a fun photo dump from practice.

And, uh, TE Josh Ford looks like a gladiator

Alabama will begin the 2026 college football season outside the preseason top 10 for the first time in nearly two decades.

The Crimson Tide landed at No. 13 in The Associated Press Top 25 released Monday, its lowest preseason ranking since opening at No. 24 in 2008.

Alabama is also no longer alone near the top of one AP record: Ohio State, this year’s preseason No. 1, is now tied with Alabama for the second-most preseason No. 1 rankings with nine. Oklahoma holds the record with 10.

Call it a hot take, but I think that #13 is a pretty fair preseason rating for the Tide. Until Keelon Russell or Austin Mack prove they can elevate the team above that, I think this is a squad with a top-ten defense and a very questionable offense, so 13 is probably about right.

If you want some fodder to complain to your friends about this week, CBS put together a list of the most expensive rosters. All based on speculation, of course, because nobody can actually know what anyone is being paid.

CBS Sports polled more than 50 industry sources — a mix of Power Four athletic directors, general managers, personnel executives, salary cap experts, agents and boosters — and discovered there are multiple Power Four programs in the $40 million or more-range on their football roster for the 2026 season.

It’s been a sharp spike across the sport. A front office staffer at one school included on this list said their roster spend is up 50% in 2026 compared to 2024. Teams double-dipped when collective dollars and rev share dollars collided for a short window last year. But the salaries never dropped after that period ended. They’ve only spiked. 

“Here’s the thing: If you have a pretty comfortable chunk of players that are solid, but then you have six to seven high-dollar kids, it’s hard not to (be in the $40 million range),” one Power Four general manager told CBS Sports. “That shit adds up quick.”

As one SEC front office staffer explained, there are a few schools in their own category: Miami, Oregon, USC, Texas and Texas A&M.

LSU might even be over $50M, if some projections are to be taken seriously.

For what it’s worth, the whole list is LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, Michigan, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and USC.

That list is missing a certain squad in Tuscaloosa. Take that as you will, either the Tide is being prudent and setting themselves up for long term success with efficient roster management… Or they’re getting left behind.