Just In: Alabama OL Arrested For Knowingly Passing…

admin | December 21, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

With only a few weeks until the Crimson Tide takes on Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinal, the Alabama football team is preparing for its most crucial game of the season.

Nick Saban frequently preaches about removing distractions, and if Alabama is to beat No. 1 Michigan, the Tide must be locked in and completely focused.

According to FOX College Football expert Joel Klatt, the key to this game will be in the trenches.

“The point of contact. “It would be exactly like Texas,” Klatt stated. “It’d be that they don’t run the ball well on first down, forcing Jalen Milroe into obvious passing situations, and then their pass rush comes in.” That’s the defensive strategy.”

To slow down the tough Michigan defensive front and keep the playbook open for Tommy Reis and the Crimson Tide coaching staff, the Alabama offensive line will have to play one of its best games of the season.

What does Alabama require? Just weeks before kickoff, an offensive lineman who has been in all 13 games this season gets charged with significant legal allegations.

Alabama football OL Elijah Pritchett Arrested

Saban was probably enraged when he learned the news late Wednesday.

According to the Tuscaloosa Thread, Alabama offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett was arrested Wednesday night and charged with knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted disease.

A representative for the Tuscaloosa Police Department confirmed to the Tuscaloosa Thread that a report was submitted last week, which resulted in the issuance of a warrant for Pritchett’s arrest. Pritchett was released from jail on a $500 bond after it was served on Wednesday evening.

The Thread informs Pritchett was charged with violating AL Code 22-11A-21, which makes “knowing transmission of a sexually transmitted disease a Class C misdemeanor.”

Pritchett, a redshirt freshman, has appeared in every game for Alabama this season. During a four-game span in the middle of the Tide’s 2023 season, he split time at left tackle with rookie Kadyn Proctor. Pritchett played double-digit snaps against the Rebels, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Arkansas beginning with the SEC opener against Ole Miss. However, he was demoted to backup left tackle behind the true freshman starter.

While Pritchett is technically classified as the backup left tackle for the time being, the fact that he’s appeared in all 13 games shows that the coaching staff believes in him, and he isn’t a player the Tide can afford to lose if they want to upset the Michigan Wolverines.

Pritchett appears to be on track to start next season, with right tackle JC Latham set to become pro following the 2023 season. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Pritchett was a top 50 recruit in Alabama’s 2022 signing class, including the nation’s No. 4 offensive lineman. Last Friday, he planned to enter the NCAA transfer portal, but changed his mind 24 hours later.

How Can Alabama football upset Michigan?

If Nick Saban and company are to pull off the shock over the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines and continue their implausible quest for a championship, they will have to follow a similar blueprint to how they beat Georgia in the SEC championship game.

It wasn’t a showy game, but efficiency wins games, and the Tide did just that against the Bulldogs. They used a well-balanced, methodical offensive approach against one of the country’s finest defenses.

Alabama led in time of possession and was committed to running the ball even when the gains were minimal. Their 39 rushing attempts outnumbered the 23 passing attempts, but the commitment to the run created play action opportunities and opportunities to surprise the defense, resulting in two Jalen Milroe touchdown passes.

Most significantly, Alabama did not turn the ball over against Georgia. They were aggressive when it mattered, converting both of their fourth-down efforts, and finished with only 306 total offensive yards (192 passing, 114 rushing).

The Crimson Tide defense is excellent enough to contain the Michigan attack, therefore the Alabama offense must adhere to their game plan and execute against the top defense in college football.