Former Alabama tight end starstruck by legendary Tide TE after getting drafted by the Ravens

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Josh Cuevas (80) prior to the CFP 1st Round Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Josh Cuevas was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 173 overall pick. The Ravens’ Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome was a part of the phone call when Cuevas was notified he was drafted by the organization.

Newsome is a fellow former Alabama tight end, and he is excited to have Cuevas in Baltimore.

“He came up to me and was saying Roll Tide, man,” Cuevas said while talking to reporters at the Ravens’ minicamp. “I was kind of star-struck when he got on the phone with me because all we talked about at Alabama in the tight end room is really kind of like the legends that walked through here and the standard we need to uphold.  That man holds all the records, receiving and all the stuff like, so it’s like something that we looked up to, and we strived for… It was great meeting him, seeing a legend in front of my face.”

Cuevas started at Alabama last season before declaring for the NFL Draft. He pulled in 37 catches for 411 yards and four touchdowns as a starter in his last season with the Tide.

Newsome is the Crimson Tide’s all-time leader in receiving yards for the tight end position with 2,070 yards.