If Devan really did cost ‘Bama $1 million, he’s been worth every penny.
Rejoice, for this the day that we Gump.
And in my case, actually rejoicing — I am sitting in the bay again at Manderson Cancer center (I was so out of yesterday, that I forgot it was Tuesday, not Wednesday), and it is actually today that I have chemotherapy. BUT, I was just told that my lungs sound great; I’m moving air “normally;” my weight is stable; and the cancer has been arrested. Somehow, between immunotherapy, chemo, and experimental drugs, the mad lads did it. I am in remission — this is my last round of chemo!
Technically, this is still terminal. This will be what kills me one day, unless I wander in front of a bus or get gunned down robbing a Dollar Tree, but I am in remission, and in about three hours I will be done with the most hellish part of “treatment,” one where the medicine has often been worse than the malady.
Sure, I will need to stay on immunotherapy for at least another two years, and that will take 20 minutes every three weeks, but my life is mine again. We are speaking of years back now, not weeks or months. Gone are the ominous “get your affairs in order” lecture. In their place is a future, uncertain as anyone else’s.
So yes, today we truly rejoice.
On to today’s news, notes, and natterings.
KLEMM IS HIM
And we begin with the real effect Coach Klemm has had on the offense, and how much those players love to learn from him…and how the Tide running game is showing up on scoreboards and demoralizing opponents.
Alabama’s offensive line looks much different this year, as Michael Carroll is the only returning starter. In the offseason, Carroll shared the differences in the room with Klemm in charge and it’s led to some big improvements through three games, especially in the run game.
“I feel like it’s improving,” Alabama offensive guard Will Sanders said on Tuesday. “I feel like we have a high ceiling. We’ve just got to keep getting better every day — practices, games — and if we keep that mentality of striving to get better, I feel like the sky is the limit.”
The Crimson Tide is currently averaging 209.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 23rd in the FBS. For reference, UA was 129th of 136 teams with 92.6 yards per contest.
I love this man.
As expected, with the House delay, that has given the Senate plenty of room to try and make mischief with the PCSA. A total of 35 amendments have been filed, and so far only three look to be included in the final bill, though none have much substantive change. One that likely will be appended is the rider from the Alabama contingent.
It is a very good idea too, because it cuts off a lot of litigation in advance. Several legal grifters and LOLcows were already planning on using some ambiguity in the bill to claim that associated entities were not included in the cap. The cap was always meant to encompass them, but the Britt/Tubs rider clearly spells out that these collective, LLCs, and other funneling businesses are going to be included in the overall spending.
Somewhere out there, Darren Heitner is in shambles.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on what happens when you don’t do things the right way, and you treat rules as obstacles to be overcome. Yes, that LSU’s MO as a rule, but few embody it — indeed, embrace such strong-ass cheating and expediency — quite like Sweaty Will Wade.
And he’s paying for it now, with a roster of pros, semi-pros, and illiterates. The Tigers have a Top 15 roster on paper…if they’re eligible. As of now, they’re not. And LSU is staring down a $30 million gamble to be down there with a SWAC team in the KenPom 300s.
LOL. Indeed, LMFAO.
Check out this excellent piece on Keelon Russell’s development by one-time ‘Bama beat reporter, Alex Scarborough, now a national writer at ESPN.
Last Saturday, back home in Tuscaloosa hosting Florida State, was another step in that process. Russell started slow once again, orchestrating an offense that went three-and-out on consecutive drives, but this time he didn’t turn the football over. He wasn’t simply along for the ride as Alabama stormed back; he was out front. He threw for three touchdowns and sprinted past the defense for a 56-yard touchdown run as the Tide scored on nine straight possessions to close a 50-36 win.
It was everything the coaching staff and fans had been clamoring for from the former five-star prospect from Duncanville, Texas. The arm strength, the lightning quick release, the speed in the open field. When the play broke down, Russell didn’t panic. He bought time with his feet and kept his eyes downfield.
“I think every game there’s something that he’s doing a better job with,” DeBoer said. “Week 1 to Week 2 was just the operation, even before we snap the football, as we’re lining up in the huddle. I think last week as the game went on he got more comfortable and I thought he came out and in the passing game was accurate, seeing the field and making a couple subtle checks. Confident he’s going to get more snaps; just let the game … come to him.”
Great piece.
It’s crootin’ szn…Because every day is recruiting szn in Tuscaloosa.
One of Alabama’s top remaining targets, Preston Glasco (3-star CB) from Loganville, Georgia has reopened his recruitment ahead of an official visit this weekend in Tuscaloosa. He had been committed to UConn, but has drawn a lot of interest from major programs of late, with Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina now being his finalists. Two of those conveniently meet this weekend during his OV too!
Keep an eye on this one. Hudl will not embed here, but check out his highlights.
Full story below, as well.
Yhonzae Pierre was expected to be Alabama’s defensive terror this season, and while he is the most dangerous pure pass rusher, additional pressure from Metz and Devan Thompkins have proven to be real difference-makers. Devan, in fact, could wind up being the steal of the portal.
Yhonzae Pierre was presumed to be Alabama’s best pass rusher this season after a eight-sack year last season, and while Pierre has been disruptive with four quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss and a sack, it is USC transfer Devan Thompkins that is leading the Crimson Tide in sacks with three through the first three games.
Sophomore outside linebacker Justin Hill couldn’t help but smile after Tuesday’s practice when asked about the pass rush that Thompkins can generate.
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Thompkins looks like he’s having fun out on the football field, whether it’s disrupting the play or destroying the play with a tackle or sack. His size and skillset allows Alabama to line him up at different places along the defensive front to keep opposing offenses off balance.
Junior offensive lineman William Sanders goes up against Thompkins in practice each week, and he said Thompkins reminds him of the looks he used to get going against former Tide defensive lineman Tim Keenan in practice.
“DT, he’s so versatile,” Sanders said. “Y’all see on Saturdays, he can play anywhere. Being able to go against him on Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the week, it definitely helps you get your technique better because you don’t have a choice but to get better.”
Awesome stuff.
LaNorris Sellers, Heisman candidate and Bama-pain-in-the-ass, gets his third bite at the apple, and he’s load. Not the best pure QB, he has plenty of arm strength, a lot of rapport with his receivers, one of the nation’s most dangerous deep threats, and size and speed with his legs to give most DCs dyspepsia.
Great Value Jalen Milroe can absolutely beat you if you let him, as ‘Bama nearly found out two years ago.
The 6-foot-3, 238 pounder completed 23-of-31 (74%) attempts for 238 yards with two touchdowns (one interception) in the 2024 showdown, where Alabama came from behind to beat the Gamecocks 27-25. Sellers was 18-of-32 (56%) for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while adding 18 carries for 67 yards and a score on the ground during the 2025 matchup where Crimson Tide ultimately picked up another win by a score of 29-22.
“Watched a cut-up this morning with the defensive staff, and it’s just one play after the other,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer brought up Sellers with the media prior to the 2025 matchup. “There was more. We didn’t even need to see it all because the point was very clear, and we’ve gotta make sure our guys continue to rally. We’ve faced running backs and guys that are tough to bring down, but this guy touches the ball every single play. So, you can get to him. That’s one thing. But you also, now, gotta get him down. It’s not gonna be just one. It’s gotta take multiple guys rallying, coming from different directions. He’s got the speed. He’s got the size. He’s just, he’s super strong. He’s a relentless player. He fights for every yard he can get.”
And, finally with our 90s and 100s finally behind us, it’s time for the Halloween decorations to come out. And what better way to celebrate this festive pagan holiday than with some Thicc Ghosts.
Craiglist. Not even once.
That’s all for now. We’ll be back in a bit with Giving Away Money, and I do believe Mr. Pigott is putting together a Meltdown piece for you!
You’ll want to check out both, for sure. But, for now, have a great morning, thanks for dropping by, and as always take care.
Roll Tide
Hell yeah, brother! That is fantastic news.
Now about that #refund.I was not expecting this sort of turnaround after last year’s
performance. There are still quality teams to play but the fact that we even put those sort of numbers up is amazing. We could run through a wet paper towel last year.Let’s hope the trajectory keeps spiraling downward for them. They did this to themselves when they allowed LMFK to take the reins.
Bama has some dogs on the defense. I have been really impressed with the LBs thus far. They are attacking the gaps instead of sitting around waiting on the ball carrier to come their way.
I’d lay money on Alabama having the best ILB tandem in the country.
Indeed, but credit goes to TrollBamaTroll for rolling up his sleeves, donning the rubber overalls, and braving the slime and sludge of alien message boards. I was merely the assembler. (And those were culty schools, too — maybe we need to give him a mental well-being check.)
Later this week, I’ll put up a tutorial showing you how you can help us mine those nuggets of misery, and you can join the Merry Meltdown Mob.
TAMU was easy since they have a game thread on SB Nation. However, Auburn required SECRant. Not the best format, IMO. The real gold is reddit or twitter.
I want the gold
” am in remission — this is my last round of chemo!”
Erik, this is truly incredible – I can’t imagine the hell you’ve gone through on this journey, but having lurked on RBR, Medium, and here about your journey, reading those words brought me a real sense of joy/peace for you and your future. All good things come from above – long may you continue to Gump, good sir.
Hell yeah brother! Congratulations on the remission!
You just know Nate is salivating at getting to beat Will Wade’s ass all over again. I honestly think he enjoys it more than beating Allbarn. Okay, maybe as much, the only thing better than beating the cow school is beating that puke orange one.
Fantastic news mate!!!
Technically, breathing oxygen is terminal too. That is technically correct….which is the best kind of correct.
Let’s all Gump to the news of remission! May your cancer be as defeated as Auburn’s coaching searches.
Not defeated, slumbering for years or god willing decades. But that beats spreading
Trying out the new comment system.
testing two.
Testing
and Part Five
And now, external gifs.
Let’s try that again. External photo from Giphy.
blob:https://trlfootball.com/76d39470-0942-4e7c-a898-985c3d7dba7f
That doesn’t work. Let’s try this. nope. Doesn’t work.
up next, add-in Giphy Plugin. I have to pay for it, but you’re worth it.
Congratulations! That is great news Erik. 🎉🙏
Great news on your remission! Roll Tide!
We rejoice with you and for you. Awesome news.
Very glad to hear you’re doing better Erk!!! Keep kicking ass.