Alabama TE Josh Cuevas tells how he feels ahead of Rose Bowl

Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas (80) catches a touchdown pass against UL Monroe at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Josh Cuevas is in good spirits ahead of the Rose Bowl and his return to his home state of California.

Cuevas returned to the football field against Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The Alabama tight end was sidelined for several weeks after he suffered what he revealed was a broken foot upon the team’s arrival in California for the Rose Bowl on Monday night.

The veteran tight end provided an update on how he feels ahead of the game when he talked to reporters.

“I’m feeling great,” Cuevas said. “I mean, shout out to our training staff. They’re the best of the best. I legit broke my foot in the middle of the season and came back same season. That’s a tribute to them. I’m ready to go for this game and given that we’ve had a little bit extra time to prepare, a little bit extra time for guys to heal up and stuff like that, it’s gonna be even better.”

Cuevas pulled in four receptions for 43 yards in his return against the Sooners. Alabama’s offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb shared he was impressed with the grit Cuevas showed by playing in the game.

“Josh Cuevas is one of the toughest kids I’ve ever seen play football, mentally, physically,” Grubb said. “To be able to do what he did tonight is absolutely unbelievable. People that are a little bit older remember Terrell Owens coming back and playing in the Super Bowl with a broken foot. I think he had a spiral fracture, and you think about those kind of stories with a guy like Josh. We didn’t think there was any way he was going to play, and he just kept saying he was going to find a way and the doctors, and Jeff (Allen) did an incredible job, and they got him back out on the field. His mindset and his perseverance, it’s special. It’s really rare.”

Alabama is happy to have the reliable weapon at its disposal against Indiana in the Rose Bowl.