Alabama walk-on Antonio Ross arrested on sexual assault charge

Alabama safety Antonio Ross has been arrested on a sexual assault charge, according to AL.com’s Carol Robinson. Ross, a freshman preferred walk-on with the Crimson Tide, is apparently no longer listed on the Alabama Athletics website.

Ross was taken into custody on Monday and is facing a second degree sodomy charge, according to AL.com. He was released on a $50,000 bond after being booked into the Calhoun County Jail.

A former Liberty commit, Ross committed to Alabama after Hugh Freeze took the job at Auburn. He didn’t play in the Crimson Tide’s first two games of the season, but has practiced with the team.

Alabama is currently gearing up for its third game of the season this week following a massive upset loss last week at Bryant Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide fell to Texas 34-24 to drop to 1-1 on the season and move down to No. 10 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. Jalen Milroe had an up-and-down day at quarterback, completing 14 of 27 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw for two costly interceptions in the game.

Alabama’s ability to execute was a big reason for the loss. The Crimson Tide got hit with 10 penalties for 90 yards — something Nick Saban pointed out in his press conference afterward. But the defense also struggled as Quinn Ewers threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns as the high-powered Texas offense looked the part.

That’s why Saban said execution will be a key focal point heading into this week’s game against South Florida, Alabama’s last tune-up before SEC play picks up next week.

“I don’t think it’s any huge secret or anything that we did not execute on a consistent enough basis,” Saban said during Monday’s presser. “You know, in this last game, too many turnovers, penalties, mental errors on defense, sacks. Things that are helpful and being consistent in terms of whether it’s sustaining drives, not giving up big plays that lead to field position and scores. So the focus is 100% on how we get it turned around, you know, the future is now alright? 

“We got to do a better job as coaches to help them be able to play, you know, better, more consistently in the game, put them in a position where they have the best chance to be successful. But I think all these things are fixable, very fixable.” 

On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report.