What they said about Alabama at 2025 SEC Media Days: Day 3

ATLANTA – Alabama made the rounds at SEC Media Days on Wednesday, July 16, and there was plenty said about the Crimson Tide on Day 3 inside the Atlanta Omni Hotel. To keep things rolling on Wednesday, Florida, Mississippi State and Oklahoma also took the stage.

Below is a roundup of what opposing coaches and players said about UA at SEC Media Days.

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables

On last year’s win over Alabama, his excitement for playing in Tuscaloosa…

“(Laughs) Excited to go to Tuscaloosa? I’m a coach. I’m a loyalist, traditionalist. So, I love that part of it. But I don’t love, there’ll be nothing loving about going to Bryant-Denny Stadium. I’ve been there before with Oklahoma, a long time ago in the early 2000s. But a beautiful venue. It’s gonna be a tremendous challenge. Alabama fans are as it gets. 

“And in regards to the timing, as I’ve said earlier, again, the end of the ‘23 season, 10-2 in the regular season. We lost all five starting offensive linemen. A really good, top-five offense. Four went to the draft, and one went to the portal. So, we were starting over, and then the next thing you know, four of the top-five offensive line starters were in and out. We had 10 different starting lineups throughout the year. 

“Certainly, it’s been well-documented, our top-six receivers missing most of the year. And so there was a lot of real struggle that happened. Confidence, morale, all of those things, continuity, sequencing, rhythm. Man, it was messy. But we had a lot of young players that were, through that opportunity, were afforded an opportunity to play, compete and incrementally get better. And yeah, it maybe didn’t necessarily equate to a win, but maybe it was Ole Miss where we had just shy of 200 yards rushing in the first half against the No. 1 rush defense in college football. 

“But the problem with last year’s offense, once we kind of turned a small, slight corner, we couldn’t push the ball down the field and create any kind of explosive plays. Lost that game 26-14, and lost a heartbreaker against Missouri on the road just by turning the ball over and couldn’t get out of our own way.

“But I think that game against Alabama, it showed a lot of different things to me. It showed what we’re capable of when we get out of our way. It showed a team that believed in one another and certainly themselves and their coaches. And it showed a team that showed a lot of guts and toughness to do the really hard stuff, keep dragging yourself off the mat, claw your way back, figure it out, find a way, punch first, punch back, punch last, that type of a mentality, even when a lot of things aren’t going your way.

“I think the pressure and adversity exposes people. And for me, I thought it exposed a lot of the best qualities that are in our locker room. And I also think, just incremental, I think that was a game that maybe highlighted incremental – not significal, but the incremental improvement that was taking place with a bunch of young guys. 

“At one time in the first half, I froze the tape on Sunday, and we had nine freshmen on the offensive side of the ball. Nine. So, it wasn’t a badge of honor. Certainly, we recognize the ability and the talent and the capabilities of a program like Alabama. But for us, I think it provided a little bit of wind in our sail, and unfortunately, we go on the road to LSU and the start of the fourth quarter, it was 24-17. We couldn’t figure out how to get it done.

“That being said, they’ll be waiting for Oklahoma, that’s for sure. But I do think that you can take some things from that, no question.”

Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks

On former Gator defensive lineman Kelby Collins, who transferred to Alabama…

“A great guy. Kelby is an outgoing player. He works hard. He has a hardworking attitude. I feel like he’s gonna help that defensive line be great this year.”

Oklahoma defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings

On last year’s win over Alabama, his excitement for playing in Tuscaloosa…

“It was a great win. I feel like it was our senior night, we needed to let our seniors out with a bang. That’s a memory they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. They can tell their kids when they have their kids.

“And just going to Alabama, I mean the program speaks for itself. The stadium, always dreamed of playing there. So playing there is going to be a great time.”

Oklahoma defensive lineman R Mason Thomas

On last year’s win over Alabama, his excitement for playing in Tuscaloosa…

“That was a big one. We really kept that momentum into this season. We know what we can do. It showed a little glimpse of what we can do.

“So for their stadium, I hear it’s loud. When they score, the lights flicker, or actually turns off, right? And it will be fun to play against them. They’re a good football team.”

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