This offseason for Auburn football recruiting has been a roller coaster ride to say the least.
Losing four blue-chip recruits in one summer saw Auburn’s class ranking plummet to as low as 89th in the country.
However, the Tigers responded by gaining five commitments in the month of July, putting its 2026 class ranking 65th.
“It does seem kind of strange that we’re some of the lowest range of numbers,” Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said. “We’re really, really low compared to some and I’m trying to figure that out.”
The Tigers added a major commitment from in-state four-star Jaquez Wilkes on Monday afternoon.
His decision alone brought Auburn’s ranking up ten spots in the 247sports composite list and he’s the Tigers first top-100 player in the class.
Since July 4th, Auburn gained commitments from three four-star recruits and two three-stars. Joining Wilkes, Auburn added linebacker Adam Balogoun-Ali and offensive tackle Wilson Zierer.
Sparking the Tigers hot streak was the commitment of three-star tight end Kentrell White. A day later, Auburn snagged the seventh-best long snapper in the country Travis Wakefield.
So, is that it for Auburn? Far from it.
August 1st is when recruits can begin officially receiving written NIL offers. For athletic director John Cohen, that will be a day where Auburn takes full advantage of to improve all the recruiting lows from this summer.
“We at Auburn are going to take that very seriously. But we’re still going to win recruiting battles. We’re going to do it the right way,” Cohen said. “I can’t speak for the rest of the recruiting world, but I can tell you this, Auburn is going to do it the right way.”
Coming off two top-10 recruiting classes, the 2026 cycle will add more young talent to the program building roster Freeze has developed during his tenure.
Landing a player like Wilkes who ranks as the No. 6 player in the state and No. 10 edge in the country, will help tremendously when recruiting more highly touted players to Plains this fall.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Cord cutters looking to catch new episodes as they release can stream season two through Fubo or DirecTV—both of which offer free trials to new subscribers.
The overall theme of season two has been the family attempting to save their enterprise from potential financial ruin, and that theme continued in last week’s episode with Steven Jr., who took a stab at securing a lucrative business deal with Arthur Bryant’s Barbecue to supply meat. Though the prospective deal looked promising, it ultimately fell through when the meat delivery ended up running late.
Another major incident that occurred during last week’s episode revolved around Galyna, who ended up breaking into Steve Sr.’s house while he was vacationing in Mexico with Masha, Galyna’s former friend.
While there, Galyna wreaked havoc by damaging Steve Sr.’s property and hiding Galyna’s belongings around the house.
Later on during the episode, Galyna is confronted by Steve Sr., but decides to take her tormenting a step further by being cryptic and elusive.
What to expect from this week’s new episode
The situation between Steve Sr. and Galyna spills over into this week’s episode as Steve accuses Galyna of drinking while on the job. To combat this new situation, he plans a mediation with Masha in the hopes of ending their feud and getting business back on track.
How to watch The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys season 2
Those interested in keeping up with what the McBee family is up to can stream season two even without access to traditional cable through Fubo and DirecTV—both of which offer free trials for new subscribers to enjoy before committing to a paid subscription.
Cord cutters willing to wait an extra day to catch new episodes can stream the show through Peacock, too.
What is Fubo?
Although primarily known as one of the most popular sports-focused streaming platforms, Fubo offers its subscribers much more than just sports related content. Fubo users can access over 100 live TV channels through its base package for just $84.99 a month following its free trial.
Some of the most popular channels available for streaming through Fubo include ESPN, ABC, CBS, NBC, TLC, MTV and more.
Subscribers can also enjoy a plethora of on-demand content in the form of hit TV shows and blockbuster movies and gain access to useful features such as the unlimited DVR feature.
What is DirecTV?
DirecTV is a top streaming service perfect for those looking to access a plethora of live TV channels and enjoy helpful features. The base package starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular TV channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNBC, BET, CNN and more.
DirecTV has also recently introduced a lineup of genre packs, which allows subscribers to choose their favorite viewing options based on what genre they watch the most. With genre packs, users can get the channels and content they want without filler channel overload. Packs start at just $34.99 a month.
Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages and the new genre packs can check them out here.
What is Peacock?
Peacock is one of the most popular alternatives to traditional cable. Users can stream hit movies and TV shows or explore a plethora of Peacock Originals.
Peacock currently offers two plans to choose from including their premium plan for $7.99 a month ($79.99 annually) and their premium plus plan for $13.99 a month ($139.99 annually).
The premium plan is the most popular package offering subscribers access to live sporting events, new and hit TV shows and movies, Peacock Originals and more.
Peacock’s premium plus plan comes with everything included in the premium plan along with the ability to download and watch select titles offline and the chance to stream your local NBC channels live at any time. Also, with the premium plus plan users can stream content without ad interruptions.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Keonta Hill likes playing EA Sports College Football 26 more than the next sports fan.
In the game, he picked Vanderbilt for his Road to Glory team.
As a senior on Madison County’s football team, he hopes to put up some more video game numbers himself this season.
“I just want to go in and do whatever my team needs to win football games at the end of the day,” Hill said on Monday at Huntsville-area high school football media day.
Last season saw Hill run for 1,530 yards and 16 touchdowns on 210 carries as the Tigers’ lead back, claiming Huntsville Times All-Region honors.
While he was encouraged by his season last year, he looks to do more this year to help his team; the Tigers went 2-8 last season under Chris Hancock, who will enter his second season as the program’s head football coach.
“We won our spring football game. We started off on a high with everybody coming in, working and getting better,” Hill said. “We have more team chemistry, more than last year, so I think we’ll shock some people this year.”
Hancock, who served as defensive coordinator for six seasons at Huntsville before taking the Madison County job and also served as head coach at Columbia and Buckhorn, described the work that Hill has done as “exceptional.”
The coach added that he plans to play Hill at linebacker this season as well for the Tigers.
“Last year, he got a chance to really put it out there,” the coach said. “He’s been the guy who was the second guy going in after some of the backs they’ve had there in the past. Last year, he had a chance to shine. He had 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns; he did a great job. He’ll tell you, he’s got a great offensive line, got a good quarterback coming back.
“A lot of success, all from him, to quarterback and so forth, and then our receivers. He’s going to play a little both ways.”
Along with Hill, Hancock took pride in his offensive line group, which returns plenty of experience. The veterans include Cole Mullins, who represented his team at media day on Monday alongside Hill.
“It starts with those guys up front,” Hancock said. “We’ve got a very seasoned bunch of guys coming back that are young, but they’re all going to come back. Four out of my five guys are going to be back next year.”
Hill, who said his high school career “went by fast” and is excited about his senior year, described Hancock as a “very efficient” head coach.
“We don’t stay in there for hours,” he said of workouts and team activities. We get in and get our work done; we get a lot of work done.”
Hancock said one of the keys to success during his second season is demonstrating a strong work ethic, with the standard and expectations already set high.
“As their coach, you want to be the example,” the coach said. “Having a great coaching staff surrounding us and surrounding those guys and holding them accountable, the expectations have been put out.”
Madison County will open the season at home against Boaz on Friday, Aug. 22.
“Both sides of the ball are seasoned,” Hancock said. “I’ve got a seasoned defensive line, an offensive line, and then, of course, our running backs. It’s going to be fun.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do one game at a time.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The Crescent Theater in downtown Mobile has shut its doors nearly 20 years after its reopening.
The theater’s closure has sparked controversy among business owners in the community who seem to have differing perspectives on its cause.
“The Crescent Theater is officially closed,” management announced in a July 17 Facebook post.
“There are chains on the doors. Due to sensitive legal matters, no additional information can be released. It was a great short run and we loved seeing the happy faces coming in and out of the door.”
Another post later that day informed customers that tickets for movies and special events would be refunded, excluding those from Comedy Mobile and its associates.
The local comedy group was mentioned again in a post the following day.
“The Crescent was doing great with a 28 to 30% monthly profit increase,” the post reads.
“With Amtrak coming and the partnership that was in the works, the percentages stood to jump tremendously. The downfall was Comedy Mobile and Whipper Snapper Comedy who saw fit and entitled to the facility.”
“After a meeting with the owner behind closed doors, they cut a deal which railroaded The Crescent Theater’s success path,” the post continues.
Comedy Mobile posted a response to Facebook just a few hours later.
🚨Our next post, in the coming week, will have more info on when The Crescent will be open to show movies and comedy once…
“Comedy Mobile took no part in the decision to end the Crescent’s current management and/or operations,” it reads.
“We were presented with the opportunity to take over management. Said opportunity was only available because the decision to end the previous arrangement had already been made.”
“Allegations of a ‘breach of contract’ or claims that we intentionally excluded anyone are simply not true,” the post continues.
“By the time we received a proposal, the management which we had prior agreements with was no longer in place.”
Whipper Snapper Comedy producers also posted a response that day.
“Recently our name has been misrepresented in a situation we’ve had absolutely no part in,” the post reads.
“Being called ‘entitled’ after years of hard work building Whipper Snapper from the ground up is not only false, it’s unfair.”
“We kindly ask that the Crescent Theater stop misrepresenting us and bringing us into a conflict that has nothing to do with us,” the post continues.
Commentors were initially supportive of Crescent management, but now say they are confused and “exhausted” from the social media dispute.
“Nothing posted by this page has eased confusion,” one woman commented on The Crescent Theater page.
“After reading all these recent posts, I’m looking forward to someone else taking over The Crescent Theater,” another man commented.
“You all seem exhausting.”
A local event organizer said they were sympathetic to Crescent management but added that it seemed like more of an issue with the building’s owner John Switzer.
“If you’re not the building owner and you weren’t in a lease, I’m not sure you can do anything other than cut your losses and keep building your community elsewhere,” they wrote.
Efforts to contact Switzer were not immediately successful.
The Crescent Theater first opened in 1885 and offered vaudeville and burlesque shows before being converted to show silent films in 1912, according to its now defunct website.
Over the next century the space occupied several different restaurants but was closed in 2006 after suffering damage from a nearby fire.
It was reopened as a movie theater by Max Morey in 2008 and has mainly shown independent and arthouse cinema in its operation since.
“It’s like the Crescent is cursed,” wrote one commentor on the closing announcement.
“The theater is really one of the coolest things about Mobile. We just can’t have nice things.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
After suffering a few recruiting setbacks in June, Auburn football added a blue-chip piece to its 2026 class on Monday.
Four-star prospect Jaquez Wilkes announced his commitment to the Tigers, becoming the 11th player in Auburn’s 2026 class. Wilkes also becomes the highest ranked player in the class, per the 247Sports composite rankings, ranked as No. 90 overall player in the country and the sixth-best player in Alabama.
Listed as an edge rusher by 247Sports, Wilkes is expected to play linebacker at Auburn. As a junior at Wadley High School, Wilkes helped lead his team to an undefeated season and 1A state championship playing on both sides of the ball. That Wadley team was especially dominant too, finishing the 2024 season with a +38.5 average margin of victory.
Wilkes tallied 10 tackles and an interception in the state championship game, to go along with 313 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 38 carries.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The National Weather Service issued an updated weather alert at 4:48 p.m. on Monday for strong thunderstorms until 5:15 p.m. for Geneva County.
Residents can be ready for wind gusts of up to 40 mph.
“At 4:47 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm 7 miles north of Geneva, moving southeast at 15 mph,” states the weather service. “Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.”
Locations impacted by the alert include Geneva, Hartford, Coffee Springs, Chancellor, Kellys Crossroads, Eunola, High Bluff, Highfalls, Dundee, Geneva Municipal A/P, Hendrix Crossroad, Somerset and Thurston.
The weather service adds, “Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”
Staying safe as lightning approaches: Expert advice
Lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times each year, with the bulk of these electrical discharges occurring during the summer months. Tragically, lightning claims the lives of about 20 individuals annually, as reported by the weather service. The risk of lightning-related incidents escalates as thunderstorms draw near, reaching its peak when the storm directly looms overhead. However, it gradually recedes as the tempest moves away.
To protect yourself during a thunderstorm, take these recommendations into consideration:
Lightning safety plan:
When venturing outdoors, it’s crucial to have a lightning safety plan in place.
Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it’s an indication that lightning is nearby.
Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.
Indoors safety measures:
Once you’re indoors, avoid using corded phones, electrical devices, plumbing fixtures, and stay away from windows and doors.
Lightning can follow conductive pathways, and these precautions reduce the risk of electrical surges.
Wait for the all-clear:
After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.
Lightning can strike even when a storm has seemingly passed, so exercise caution.
When indoor shelter isn’t available:
If you find yourself outdoors with no access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:
Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, as they expose you to greater lightning risk.
Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.
If you’re with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. Remember that a tent offers no protection against lightning.
Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.
In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.
Mastering wet roads: Safety tips for heavy rainfall
When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises. Here’s your guide from the weather service to staying safe during downpours:
Beware of rapid water flow:
During heavy rain, avoid parking or walking near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.
Maintain safe driving distances:
Use the two-second rule to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you and allow an extra two seconds in heavy rain.
Slow down and drive with care:
On wet roads, reducing your speed is crucial. Ease off the gas pedal gradually and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.
Choose your lane wisely:
Stick to the middle lanes to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Outer lanes are more prone to accumulating water.
Visibility matters:
Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.
Watch out for slippery roads:
Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins. Grime and oil on the road surface mix with water to make the road slippery.
Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:
Large trucks and buses can reduce your visibility with tire spray. Avoid tailgating and pass them swiftly and safely.
Mind your windshield wipers:
Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas.
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails. Keep your headlights on and activate emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
In the face of heavy rain, these precautions can make a significant difference in ensuring your safety on the road. Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The Chicago Cubs play against the Kansas City Royals in an MLB game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. CT on MLB Network. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
The Cubs enter this matchup with a 59-40 record, and they have won four of their last five games. However, the team is coming off a 6-1 loss against the Boston Red Sox.
In order to bounce back this evening, the Cubs will need a great performance from their star player Seiya Suzuki. He leads the Chicago offense with 26 home runs and 80 RBI, which highlights his power at the plate.
Notably, Suzuki also leads the team with 24 doubles this season.
The Royals enter this matchup with a 48-52 record, and they are coming off a 7-4 win against the Miami Marlins.
In order to win tonight’s game, the Royals will need to rely on their star player Maikel Garcia. He leads the Kansas City offense with a .292 batting average and a .347 on-base percentage, so he will try to continue his offensive success this evening.
Fans can watch this MLB game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The popular country music group Lady A announced their upcoming 12-stop This Winter’s Night tour which officially kicks off Dec. 5 at the Atlanta Symphony Hall at The woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
The upcoming tour is the group’s first ever Christmas tour and is launching to help celebrate their upcoming album “On This Winter’s Night Vol. 2,” which is set to release on music streaming platforms Sept. 26.
In addition to performing songs from their upcoming album, Lady A is set to include holiday classics in the festive shows.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The Atlanta Braves play against the San Francisco Giants in an MLB game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. CT on FanDuel Sports Network South/FanDuel Sports Network Southeast. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
The Braves enter this matchup with a 43-55 record, and they have lost back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Braves lost 4-2 against the New York Yankees.
In order to win tonight’s game, the Braves will need a great performance from their star player Matt Olson. He leads the Atlanta offense with 18 home runs and 64 RBI, so he will look to continue his offensive success this evening.
The Giants enter this matchup with a 52-48 record, and they have lost five consecutive games. In their most recent game, the Giants lost 8-6 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
In order to bounce back tonight, the Giants will need to rely on their star player Heliot Ramos. He leads the team with 101 hits and a .267 batting average, so he will try to continue his great play at the plate this evening.
Fans can watch this MLB game for free online by using the free trials offered by DirecTV and Fubo TV.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.