College football notes: Focus on Bama … Even though Alabama missed out on this year’s CFP playoffs, a lot of the focus around college football remains on the Tide. That’s in part because the debate whether Alabama, with its rugged SEC schedule should have gotten into the playoffs ahead of SMU, continues to rage, but as arguably the best in the country not in the playoffs, there is a lot of focus on what Tide players are planning for next year. And while he hasn’t committed outright, all signs are pointing to QB Jalen Milroe, a potential mid-to-late first rounder, entering the draft even though he has eligibility remaining. Milroe has opted to play in the Tide’s bowl game against Michigan later this month, but couched it in terms of ‘wanting to finish what he started with his brothers.’ He also talked about Alabama’s projected QB room next year as being potentially very talented, but referred to the room as ‘they.’ Same story for star junior LB Jihaad Campball, another mid-to-late first round candidate who also talked about his decision to play against Michigan later this month as wanting to finish with his brothers. One Alabama player who won’t be in this year’s draft though is C Parker Brailsford who has opted to return to school for the 2025. Meanwhile, another player who will be back at school, at least somewhere next year, is Oklahoma WR Nic Anderson, a second-day prospect, who is in the portal and in fact will be visiting SEC rivals LSU and Texas A&M in the next few days. Speaking of the transfer portal, a couple of QBs have already made moves including Connor Weigman, who created some 2025 buzz earlier this year, is moving from Texas A&M to Houston which should at least keep his moving expenses low. At the same time, former Boston College dual-threat QB Thomas Castellanos is staying in the ACC, but moves up to Florida State.
