Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Alabama 2025 Opponent Calls Out Crimson Tide

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nazario Pangallo | Last updated Feb 1, 2025 8:38 PM ET

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was able to ease into his tenure in 2024 with two non-conference games against non-power-four programs in Western Kentucky and South Florida. The Crimson Tide was able to build momentum with commanding victories, but 2025 will be much different as Alabama will begin its season on the road against Florida State.

One Florida State player is starting the trash talk with over seven months remaining until kick-off.

"I'm here to dominate against Alabama," Seminoles defensive lineman James Williams said.

Williams is a transfer from Nebraska who played just one season with the Cornhuskers. In 2024, Williams totaled 18 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks as Nebraska made a bowl game for the first time in nearly a decade.

The Cornhuskers' defensive coordinator last season, Tony White, was hired away from Nebraska by Florida State this past offseason which prompted multiple Nebraska players to follow his lead including Williams.

The Seminoles brought in the No. 7 transfer portal class according to 247Sports with 16 players joining the program. Florida State is trying to recover from one of the worst seasons in program history when the Seminoles finished 2-10 just a year after an undefeated regular season. Head coach Mike Norvell replaced both of his coordinators after the season with White and Gus Malzhan attempting to revive the program.

The two programs have matched up just five times in their history with the Crimson Tide owning a 3-1-1 record, but this will be Alabama's first time traveling to Tallahassee.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: