Extra notes, insights from Alabama’s road win over Kentucky

That was the Devan Thompkins we heard about. The one hyped up going back to the spring, both publicly and behind the scenes. The Southern Cal transfer who had the potential to be Alabama’s best transfer portal addition. Hype doesn’t mean anything until a player puts it on the field. With his performance in the 45-17 win over Kentucky, Thompkins began turning that hype into production. The two sacks are the easy plays to point out. We’ll get to those in a second. But he made an earlier play you might have missed. Before Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey threw his first-quarter pick six, the pocket was collapsing. Thompkins played a key role in making that happen, pushing SEC veteran left tackle Lance Heard almost into Minchey. Then the Kentucky quarterback had to jump and throw, and he threw it right to Luke Metz. Now to Thompkins’ takedowns of Minchey. The first happened in the second quarter.On this snap, Thompkins bullied the left guard, former Alabama lineman Olaus Alinen, and bull rushed him into the backfield. Then Thompkins showed the athleticism to track down Minchey as he tried to escape. Jump ahead to the third quarter. Thompkins beat the right tackle off the edge, showed good bend and took down Minchey for the strip sack. It was crucial considering Kentucky still had a one-point lead at that point. There’s a reason defensive coordinator Kane Wommack yelled “BOOM” after it happened. “Coach Wommack emphasized getting some more takeaways this week, so that was a high focus point for me,” Thompkins said. “I had a chance to go hit the QB. That’s what I did.” Thompkins getting a sack from both the interior and the edge of the defensive line shows how versatile of a piece he is for Wommack. He’s got enough strength and power to bull rush, and he’s fast enough to rush off the edge. Thompkins tied for the team high with two sacks and four pressures, per Pro Football Focus’ charting. Thompkins at Bandit defensive end has a chance to be the best one Wommack has had yet. LT Overton had four sacks a season ago, and Thompkins, two games in, is already halfway there. Here are other insights and notes from reviewing Pro Football Focus data and re-watching the game. Extra notes, insights on Alabama vs. Kentucky-- Let’s dive into Keelon Russell’s second start. Mistakes weren’t a surprise. It was his first road start and first start against an SEC opponent. A few bumps were going to be inevitable. The hope for Alabama was that any mistakes he made in a hostile environment would not prove detrimental. But, they did in the first half. He went to the locker room with three turnovers. Russell acknowledged the first pick was an issue of not navigating throwing lanes well with the defender right in front of him. On the fumble, he took responsibility for needing to have better ball security, but it wasn’t all on him. Tight end Josh Ford was in motion and needed to pick up the defender coming off the edge, but Ford missed him. So Russell faces immediate pressure. The interception right before the half was a case of Russell forcing the ball into a window he shouldn’t have. Simply put, Russell is learning. Yet through all of that, Russell didn’t unravel. “He stays cool and calm,” Kalen DeBoer said. “He believes in himself.”Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer talks with referee during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Tony Wagner)AP Photo/Tony WagnerThe turnovers are easy to make the focus, but he made some high-level throws and plays around them. On one play in the first half, Kentucky sent six pass rushers after him. One even got to Russell, hitting him just as he threw, but Russell still found Lotzeir Brooks for the first down. Then the ball Russell threw to Rico Scott early in the second quarter along the right sideline for 32 yards was perfectly placed. “He’s a fighter,” DeBoer said of his quarterback.Russell settled in as the game went on, specifically in the second half. A stout defense is the perfect pairing for breaking in a young quarterback. Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) drops back to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Tony Wagner)AP Photo/Tony WagnerRight now, Russell just needs time to grow into playing quarterback at the college level. Decisiveness will come with more snaps. Knowing when to try to play hero or just live to see another play will come with experience. The good news for Alabama is Russell keeps making plays, amid the stumbles. The growing pains will be paired with spectacular moments, if the first two games are any indication. -- How about Daniel Hill? He only got better as the game went on, and he wore down Kentucky’s defense. The third-year back rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown, but the most impressive part of his day were the 85 yards he gained after contact, per PFF. He also took three runs for 10 or more yards, making him the first Alabama running back to do so since Jam Miller against Vanderbilt on Oct. 4, 2025. Hill stepped up in some key moments too. His fourth-down conversion stands out the most. Alabama needed a yard with 9:35 left in the third quarter. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb decided to hand off to Hill, and the running back took advantage. Following blocks from Ford, tight end Kaleb Edwards and left tackle Jackson Lloyd, Hill ran big and got the first. Alabama went straight at the defense, played bully ball and succeeded. In a got-to-have it moment, the Crimson Tide didn’t try to get tricky. Alabama imposed its will. That didn’t necessarily happen last year. But if Hill is running like that, he’s just the guy to whom you want to give the ball in those crucial short yardage moments. September 12, 2026: Alabama RB Daniel Hill (4) runs through a big hole in the line during the NCAA football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY. Kyle Okita/CSM (Credit Image: © Kyle Okita/Cal Sport Media) (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)AP-- Speaking of Hill and play calling, why not give him the ball on that third-and-goal from the 2-yard line? Hill was picking up steam on that drive with a few solid runs. He ran for four and five yards on the previous two plays. Even if it might have been obvious on third down, giving him the ball needing two yards could have worked well. Instead, Alabama went with an empty backfield and tried to pass. Russell was sacked and Alabama kicked a field goal. Watching it back, the play call wasn’t as bad as it looked live. Kentucky brought a defensive back off the edge to blitz. Tight end Kaleb Edwards didn’t see him while working a double-team on a defensive lineman with left tackle Jackson Lloyd. If Edwards cuts off the defensive back, Russell might have the time to hit an open receiver in the end zone. Still, some will-imposing with a handoff to Hill would have been this sportswriter’s choice. -- Jackson Lloyd has fared well through two games as Alabama’s left tackle. He hasn’t allowed a pressure yet, per PFF. He’s been good in run blocking too. Alabama Offensive Lineman Jackson Lloyd (77) in action against Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY on Saturday, Sep 12, 2026. Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics-- The offensive line as a whole had a solid day in Lexington. Two pressures allowed all day, per PFF, which consist of sacks, hits and hurries. The big men also opened holes up front for Hill and the running backs to take advantage. This group is building momentum. -- Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson are playing well as the new inside linebackers. They combined for 20 tackles. Metz had his pick six and Woodson tallied two sacks. They are proving to be difference makers and tone setters. LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 12: Luke Metz (4) of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after a 34-yard interception returns for touchdown in the first quarter during the college football game against the Kentucky Wildcats on September 12, 2026 at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)AP-- Don’t overlook what Yhonzae Pierre did against Kentucky. He didn’t tally a sack, but he made an impact. He tied Thompkins with four quarterback pressures, per PFF. At one point late in the first half during a third-and-8, Pierre got to Minchey and hit his arm to affect the throw. Alabama Linebacker Yhonzae Pierre (0) in action against Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY on Saturday, Sep 12, 2026. Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics-- Jireh Edwards, take a bow. The freshman safety made his debut 19 days after surgery for a broken arm, and he blew up a play in the second half as he knifed through the line of scrimmage. It felt like he could have taken the handoff himself. -- Give credit to Alabama special teams. Snuffing out the fake punt late in the third quarter was the beginning of the end for Kentucky. The Wildcats still only trailed by six then. Instead of Kentucky extending the drive, Jay Nunez’ group got Alabama the ball back. Nunez and Wommack shared a big hug after that stop. From there, the Crimson Tide took over the game. That play might have been the biggest on special teams under Nunez to date.