There is something different about this year’s Alabama Crimson Tide football team. This team seems to be more focused and determined than they were last year.
Maybe it’s because the expectations aren’t as high as they have been in previous years and because some of the distractions are gone, whatever it is, it’s something different.
There were rumors out before the draft that some players, like Ryan Williams, were ready to transfer if changes weren’t made on offense, especially at quarterback.
Williams' first half of the season was spectacular; his second half, not so much because of inconsistent quarterback play.
You could see the frustration on wide receiver faces as balls would sail over their heads, and Jalen Milroe would throw into double coverage and get picked.
Though no one said it out loud, you knew something was wrong. This year,you can hear the excitement in players’ voices like Williams and Germie Bernard that there has been a shift for the better.
When asked about team chemistry, Williams said to the media Monday that it was at an all-time high.
“The chemistry? I’m going to be honest, this is probably one of the all-time highs in team chemistry I’ve had in life. “It’s just a brotherhood.”
Williams continued to talk about holding each other accountable and how players from the offense and defense hang out more with each now than before. Maybe that’s a testament to this team’s maturity that was lacking last year.
While some players were cutting NIL deals and promoting their brands, it might have been a distraction to the Alabama locker room. There have been times in the past when players seemed to be more focused on NFL careers than winning a national championship, and maybe that was the case last year, but this year it’s different.
Williams added that players have bought into the system, which may explain why no players were leaving for the transfer portal and decided to stay in Tuscaloosa. This team, unlike last year, seems to be on a mission to prove its doubters wrong.