Many topics were up for discussion on this edition of In My Own Words with yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
In the absence of Tua Tagovailoa (ankle), Mac Jones gets his first start for Alabama at quarterback versus Arkansas for homecoming.
The redshirt sophomore hails from Jacksonville, Fla., and had a great week of practice.
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While he is doubted by some, yours truly released a segment on why he is ready for the moment and why Crimson Tide fans need to rally behind him. Prior to his arrival at Alabama, the former four-star took a small private school – The Bolles School – to a Class 4A State Championship.
Check out the Jones segment below.
He exploded against Southern Mississippi and Texas A&M; however, fans want more of Christian Barmore.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder represents an A’Shawn Robinson or Marcell Dareus of old that Nick Saban once had. He plays with anger, physicality and loves creating negative plays versus opposition.
Barmore has one sack this season, but he chimes in with two tackles for loss and is tied for third in quarterback pressures (two). As the Tide pushes toward a showdown with LSU, Barmore needs to be worked in more as an interior pass rusher.
Watch the Barmore segment below.
Despite not landing Arik Gilbert for its 2020 class at tight end, Alabama still has 23 verbal commitments – including four 5-stars. Justin Smith, lead scouting and recruiting analyst for TDA Magazine joined yours truly to talk on Gilbert and give an update on whether his decision to commit to LSU hurt the Tide. Smith said Alabama is still looking for other options at the position; nevertheless, losing out on Gilbert did not crush Nick Saban and company for 2020.
Check out the video below on Smith talking Tide recruiting.
Alabama will have its second bye week, following the Arkansas game.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
