A change in how Walmart maps out its delivery routes means the service will now be available to 12 million more people, including some who may qualify for same-day-delivery for the first time.
The nation’s largest retailer announced this week it was switching to “geospatial technology” to optimize delivery zones. In the past, Walmart delivery was based on traditional boundaries like ZIP codes. Now, large areas will be divided into smaller, more precise hexagonal grids that resemble pixels in a digital image. The hexagons are linked together to cover a greater area and prevents small areas around the edges from being left out of the delivery zones.
Different delivery elements – things like available times, drive time and store location – are available for each hexagon.
The change, Walmart said, allows it to adjust delivery zones with greater accuracy, including making it easier for items that aren’t available from one store to be delivered from another.
Here’s how Walmart explained the importance of that change.
“Customers can now have their delivery orders fulfilled by multiple Walmart stores within their service area. Previously, a customer’s order might have been fulfilled by a single Walmart store based on their location, which sometimes meant that if a product wasn’t available at that store, the customer would receive their order in multiple deliveries at different times. Now, with geospatial technology refining and expanding our delivery zones, a customer may be covered by multiple stores. If one store doesn’t have a particular item but another nearby location does, Walmart delivery drivers can pick up products from both, ensuring customers receive everything they need in one seamless delivery.”
The change opens up delivery to 12 million more households, including an expansion of same-day delivery.
A Division II national champion will be making his way to Jacksonville State.
Former Ferris State defensive back Jacarvis Alexandre has committed to Jax State out of the NCAA transfer portal, he announced on social media Friday.
The move comes one day after Jax State’s spring game, which he attended Thursday night; the 6-foot-1 defender has one season of eligibility left.
He also held offers from Florida Atlantic, Memphis, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, UTEP, Miami-Ohio and Missouri State out of the NCAA transfer portal.
Alexandre played in eight games last season with Ferris State, finishing the season with 13 tackles (11 solo), six pass breakups and an interception before being sidelined due to injury.
One of the two people killed in Thursday’s shootings at Florida State University was the son of Ricardo “Monkey” Morales, a shadowy Cuban-American CIA operative and anti-Castro militant throughut the 1960s and ’70s who died in a bar fight in Miami in 1982.
Roberto Morales, 57, was among several university employees who had gathered for a meeting when the shooting began, his brother, Ricardo Morales Jr. said. He worked at the university’s department of dining services.
“Today we lost my younger brother, He was one of the victims killed at FSU. He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter. I’m glad you were in my Life,” Ricardo Morales Jr. wrote Thursday night in his X account.
Roberto Morales was one of two people, neither of whom were FSU students, who were killed. Five others were hospitalized in the shootings, which began shortly before noon. Authorities said the shooter, who is in custody, is the son of a Leon County Schools deputy and had used one of her weapons.
Roberto Morales had been deeply affected by his father’s death while he was a teenager, his brother said. His father, who had been a central figure in Cold War-era espionage and anti-Castro militancy, was killed in a Key Biscayne bar on December 20, 1982, during a fight. He was 43. Police ruled the incident a justifiable homicide, though his controversial past has long fueled speculation about the true nature of his death.
“Monkey” Morales operated in the shadowy realms of intelligence and counterintelligence for multiple agencies — including the CIA, FBI, DEA, the Israeli Mossad and Venezuela’s DISIP. His legacy is marked by covert operations, bombings and alleged ties to drug trafficking. Despite numerous brushes with the law, he was frequently shielded from prosecution, feeding theories about his connections to high-level covert U.S. operations.
In the 1960s and ’70s, Morales, who took part in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961, was one of many Cuban exiles collaborating with the CIA to undermine Fidel Castro’s regime.
In a 2021 radio interview in Miami, Ricardo Morales Jr. claimed that his father had ties to Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy.
Morales said his father, who served as a sniper instructor in the early 1960s at secret camps where Cuban exiles and others were trained for missions against Cuba, recognized Oswald as one of his former trainees in the hours following Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas in 1963.
It’s been a long road for Sam Star on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” but the Alabama native’s path has been paved with rhinestones, glitz and glamour.
Sam, 25, born and raised in Leeds, has been a standout during Season 17 of the MTV reality series, showcasing her skills as a performer. Throughout 14 episodes, viewers have seen Sam sing, dance, lip-sync, write jokes and appear in comedy skits. She’s also displayed major talent in the show’s workroom, creating fabulous outfits for runway challenges.
On Friday, April 18, Sam will face a key moment on “Drag Race” during the season finale. She’s competing as one of the top four queens, alongside Onya Nurve, Jewels Sparkles and Lexi Love. They’re vying for a $200,000 prize and the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar.”
It’s a prestigious crown in the entertainment world, and Sam Star is in it to win it.
“To be a part of the legacy is just so beautiful,” Sam said in an interview with AL.com. “I think we don’t even really comprehend how impactful the show is on pop culture, and how it’s going to be in history books forever.”
Sam (whose offstage name is Sam Purkey) is a familiar figure on Birmingham’s drag scene, performing at Al’s on 7th and hosting karaoke nights there. Sam also is a veteran of the local theater community, appearing in the 2022 cast of “Kinky Boots” at Red Mountain Theatre, as well as productions of “Chicago,” “Memphis,” “Elf: the Musical” and “Damn Yankees” around the city.
Sam, known as the “Supermodel of the South,” spent about 30 minutes on the phone with AL.com, chatting about her experiences on “Drag Race” and tracing her Alabama roots. Here’s what she said.
(The interview below has been edited for length and clarity.)
Sam Star of Leeds, Alabama, is a contestant on Season 17 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Here, Sam Star attends a promo event for the series on Dec. 17, 2024, in New York City.(Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images for MTV/Paramount)
Tell us about your background with Birmingham theater groups. Did those experiences set the stage for you as a drag performer?
Sam Star: I would say it definitely did. Growing up, I always was the kid who was a little different, and didn’t really know what to do with myself. And I found theater, and it sort of all fell into place for me. All of the eccentricities that I had that, I was made fun of, were perfect to be on the stage, and I fell in love with it. That was my dream from the beginning, to be a performer.
So I did that all growing up. I started with the little community theater here in Leeds called Leeds Arts Council, and I fell so in love with it that I ended up wanting to do it professionally. I started auditioning for Red Mountain and Virginia Samford (theaters) in Birmingham, and then followed it all the way into college. I studied musical theater at the University of Alabama. Theater just wasn’t quite gay enough for me, so I decided to become a drag queen.
Did you graduate from Alabama?
I’m a proud Alabama dropout, but still, “Roll Tide!” I just realized that I knew the stage like the back of my hand, so I was like, “I would rather be out in the world auditioning for things other than still trying to learn about how to do that.” So I went for it, and I’m glad I did, because, look, I made it all the way to “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
Was the University of Alabama a welcoming place for you?
For the most part, it definitely was. I think I lucked out because, obviously, being a part of the musical theater department, that’s definitely more progressive than, you know, the football team. But I would say that, for the most part, everyone was nice. But I’ve also kind of been fighting those battles since I was a kid, so I found a way to make my way in this conservative area we live in.
Did you start your drag career in Birmingham, doing shows here?
I did start doing drag in Birmingham. Do you remember Our Place? So back in the day. I don’t know if I should say this legally, but it’s fine. I mean, I’m grown now, but when I was a little baby gay, I would go to Our Place and I would do a drag show, little open stages, and then I’d have to go home because I had high school the next day, my senior year.
So I started in Birmingham, and then I started doing the Audrina’s Diamond Hunts, which were a competition. Then they were throwing a competition at Al’s on 7th, and from there, I won that competition. Next thing you know, you have to come back the next week. And it just kept happening and happening. Then they eventually asked me if I wanted to join the cast (the house entertainers at Al’s). And the rest is herstory, as they say.
Do you think of Al’s on 7th as your drag home in Birmingham?
Yes, it is. I’m still technically there on the cast. I mean, obviously, I’m not there as often, because I’m touring right now, but it’s my home — always will be my home.
She’s originally from (Birmingham), and I, at this point, had started performing at Al’s. I was still sort of new into it. I ended up meeting her because she was booked at Al’s for a “coming back home” show situation.
We met; she just seemed to be impressed by me. She saw potential in me. She told me about this online drag competition that she was hosting called Love for the Arts, and she said, “You should audition for it.” So I ended up auditioning for it, and then I ended up getting to the round where people could vote on who they wanted to make the official cast of the show. Alabama came through for me and made me in the top, so I ended up getting cast on it.
After all that was said and done, she said, “I see so much potential in you. If you don’t have a mentor or a drag mother, I would love to adopt you.” Any good gay would say yes. So I was thrilled. She’s been so helpful, especially at that point, I was trying to navigate all of this new world for myself. It was so helpful to have someone like that in my corner.
Why did you want to be on “Drag Race”? What can it do for your career?
My gosh, everything. I personally wanted to be on the show because it had shaped my life in so many ways. I think before I saw “Drag Race,” I didn’t really know where I fit in the world. I felt like my urges to dress up in sequin dresses and put on rhinestone jewelry was, you know, a singular thing to me. Then I turn on the TV, and I see that there are people out there who are like me, and are thriving and making a name for themselves, which is something I always dreamed of doing.
I wanted to be on the show to inspire others down the road, like the people that I saw on TV. I want to do that for other people. And to be a part of the legacy is just so beautiful. I think we don’t even really comprehend how impactful the show is on pop culture, and how it’s going to be in history books forever. So I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I always dreamed of that coming from such a small place. And as soon as I learned about “Drag Race,” I said, “I’m gonna make that happen or I’ll die trying.” And I did it, thank God.
Alabama’s Sam Star is one of the final four on Season 17 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Sam, from Leeds, attended a celebration for the 1000th performance of the “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” production at Flamingo Las Vegas on March 15, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
On “Drag Race’ you’ve talked about being a pageant queen, and how that’s affected what you’ve done this season, and how you’re presented yourself. Tell us what it means to be a pageant queen.
I would say, stereotypically, it just means that you’re very polished, you’re pretty, you’re very prepared. Sometimes maybe over-prepared, because in pageants, we get every category for the pageant. We know exactly who we’re going to wear. We have months to prepare for it. You know, all these things. So I think in the “Drag Race” landscape, sometimes that comes across as a little too prepared.
But I think any pageant queen you’ve ever seen compete on the show has an advantage of being in those situations before, being in a competitive environment and keeping your head screwed on straight. So there’s pros and cons. I think that sometimes, especially in my case, they just said, “We get that you’re a great drag queen, but what else?”
They’re looking for more than just a fabulous drag queen. They want to see who created this fabulous drag queen, who is the person behind that persona. And I’m grateful that they asked for that. For a long time, I was scared to show that I created Sam Star to present to the world because I wasn’t fully happy with the Sam underneath Sam Star. But being on the show was so beautiful and liberating — to see that the judges and, it seems like, the world loved the Sam behind the character. What a blessing.
You did a drag makeover on your mom, Leslie Blair, for an episode of “Drag Race,” and won the challenge. What did it mean for you to have your mom there?
My gosh, what an amazing memory. First of all, I’ll hold that close to my heart forever. She came at the exact right time, especially for me in the competition. I had just had to lip-sync (to avoid elimination) the week before, for the first time. I was just in such a dark place. For whatever reason, I had sort of deduced that the next challenge might be the makeovers, especially when Ru started talking in his intro in the workroom.
But the last person I thought would walk in would be my mother from Leeds, Alabama. So to see her, I just lost it. She’s been everything to me from the beginning. She’s been my biggest cheerleader. When the world was so dark and scary, I could come home, and I felt safe, and I felt loved and supported. So to be able to give that back to her is so incredible.
I think she’s also put so many of her dreams, and so many of her life goals, on hold to take care of my sister and myself. And what an incredible way to pay her back, by her helping me make my dream come true. It was just incredible.
Was your mom comfortable in her drag outfit? What was her reaction?
She was very comfortable. What was funny is, originally she was supposed to wear the pants outfit that I ended up wearing. But she ended up convincing me that she wanted to wear her legs out and her booty out on national television. And I was like, “Mother, are you sure you want to do this?” And she was like, “This is my one chance, of course.” So she was definitely down to clown. And thank God that it went so well.
On the episode, your mom said she goes to see your drag shows every weekend in Alabama. The other parents in the workroom seemed surprised.
The other mom said, ‘You’re showing me up.“ And my mom said, “Oh, sorry.” I’m glad that all of the different parents were on the show, to show that support looks different for everybody. I know that I’m definitely in the minority of having someone who’s so supportive, and is always there at the drag club. I mean, she’s 61 years old and is out at the nightclub past 2 a.m. to support her gay son in Alabama. That is kind of an anomaly.
But I think the other parents on (“Drag Race”), just being there and saying yes to that phone call, they did not have to do that. I think all of the parents there were so incredible and so beautiful. And it’s good for people watching the show to see. Just because your parent isn’t at all your drag shows doesn’t mean they don’t love and support you. You know, support looks different for everybody.
On another episode, you talked about your family connection to Charles Barkley. Tell us about that.
He is also from Leeds, Alabama, and he grew up with my mom. They were best friends. Well, they still are — all through school, and even after. I think that is a testament to his character, that even after having so much success, he still hasn’t forgotten about little people that were part of his formative years. He’s just always been amazing, just a great role model, always been so kind.
He’s always been outspoken in support, and he frankly doesn’t have to do that. So he’s just incredible. He was someone who inspired me, that just because we’re from a small town in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean you can’t dream big, and chase things, and achieve them. He was definitely always in the back of my mind growing up, that whatever I wanted to do, I could do it if I worked hard enough.
It is kind of a crazy relationship. If I was taller, I might have ended up being an NBA player. But I’m only 5’ 7,″ so I had to become a drag queen.
Sam Star of Leeds, Alabama, is a contestant on Season 17 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Here, Sam Star attends a premiere screening for the show on Dec. 18, 2024, in New York City.(Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images for MTV/Paramount)
When you started your journey on “Drag Race,” did you think you’d make it to the finals?
At the beginning, honestly, I didn’t know and I obviously have all the self-doubt voices that we all struggle with. But as the competition went on, and after I started securing my wins, I said, “Sam, you’ve worked hard, you’ve learned everything you need to learn. Just have fun with it, and if it’s meant to be, it’s gonna happen.”
I started to feel like I was gonna make it to the end. And I’m a survivor. I mean, I hung in there, and I can’t believe that I get to compete at the finale. It’s crazy. I knew that I could do it, but again, being there, it’s such a overwhelming experience. You’re not really thinking clearly. So I was hopeful, but not sure. But again, grateful.
What does it take to do well on Drag Race? It seems like you have to be funny, you have to be quick on your feet, you have to be able to sew and make fabulous outfits and you have to have a tough skin, interacting with the other queens.
Everything you just said. You have to be more than a quadruple threat. You have to be able to do pretty much every discipline — singing, dancing, acting, sewing, comedy, being vulnerable, all these different things that are the formula of “Drag Race.”
But if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. You have to sort of surrender to the process. I knew going into the show that I wanted to be as prepared as I could, so there were many nights where I stayed up watching YouTube videos of how to sew this and how to do this wig, and all these different things, in hopes to one day get this opportunity.
There were many nights where I said, “Am I doing all this in vain? Am I wasting my time? Is this a pipe dream?” But for this all to happen to me has been so amazing. Now I am totally a champion of saying, “Put in the work now, and it’s going to pay off.” One day, RuPaul might call you up on the cell phone and say, “It’s your time.” And you better know how to make that gown and style that wig.
Alabama’s Sam Star is one of the final four on Season 17 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Sam Star, from Leeds, posed on the red carpet for a season finale event on March 27, 2025, in Pacoima, California.(Photo by Gonzalo Marroquin/Getty Images for MTV)
You seem very comfortable on the show, on the runway and in the workroom. Was anything about filming the season intimidating for you? Were you ever scared?
All of it was very intimidating. I guess I’m a good actor, and I pretended like everything was cool. But every day I was just so overwhelmed and scared that, you know, it could be your last day. You just never know. .. I was always scared, but I was proud of myself for eventually settling in and realizing that I was there for a reason. The judges obviously liked me, or I wouldn’t be there, and it all was going to be fine.
I will say, the workroom was humongous, and the runway was humongous. So that was very intimidating. It was like walking into the wizard’s chamber in “The Wizard of Oz.” You felt like a little ant in this humongous Technicolor world. But it was amazing. It was honestly like living in a dream.
You’ve had ups and downs on this season, which makes for good television. Would you have preferred to go in, become the front-runner and cruise to victory?
That would have been nice, of course. But I’m grateful that everything happened in the way that it did, because I think that I have used Sam Star as an armor and a defense mechanism from being too vulnerable.
She was this character that I created who had no problems, and was always happy and silly and funny. (On the show), when I wasn’t doing as well or had a vulnerable moment, I think that allowed the audience to see more of the inner workings of me. Without those, I might have just been overconfident Sam Star the whole time, and never shown the real Sam underneath.
Sure, I would have liked to have just been able to sit back, and watch everybody else lip-sync, and sail to the crown. But that was not in the cards for me, and that’s all right.
Your Cher impression was a standout this season. Had you ever done Cher before “Drag Race”?
What’s crazy is, I had never done a Cher impression in my whole life. But I love Cher, and I’ve always loved Cher. I said on the show that I had been introduced to her through “Burlesque,” which is kind of embarrassing. But, I mean, it’s not my fault.
Anyway, I’ve always loved Cher, and I love Chad Michaels, who does a brilliant Cher impression. I’d never done it myself, but thank God I had all this theater experience, and being on stage my whole life to sort of, you know, pull it off somehow.
(Watch Sam Star’s Cher impression in the video below, starting at the 6:23 mark.)
Viewers also have seen you on “Untucked,” the gossipy backstage show that’s linked to “Drag Race.” What’s it like doing that part of the season, sitting and talking with the other queens?
That’s my favorite part, because you’d already heard from the judges if you were amazing or horrible that week, and you get to go back and either stress or relax. I would take my corset off, I’d take my wig off, I take my shoes off, and we just talk. I think that’s when I really was in my full form, on “Untucked,” when I wasn’t so stressed about the competition.
But it was so fun to be able to talk to the girls. Also, it was amazing to be able to sit down, have a cocktail, eat some food, you know? I love that. It’s like being in the dressing room after the show happened at a drag show, when all the girls are sitting around and talking about what happened. That was the vibe in the room.
As the season has progressed, what’s the reaction been like from your family and friends?
My gosh, amazing. Everyone is so proud. I think what’s crazy is, I think I was the most surprised to be on the show. It seems like everyone around me seems to have known that something like this was going to happen for me, and they just always believed in me, which makes me so happy. But people are so proud. I’ve also gotten reached out to by people that I grew up with — people that I haven’t heard from in years, just saying, “I’m so proud of you. Thanks for representing us.”
Also to see all the comments and things on my (social media) posts, from people that have supported me from the beginning, now commenting in support of a final four on one of the biggest television shows in the world … It’s crazy that those people have stood behind me. I’m just so grateful. There’s no other word than grateful.
Now that you’ve gained fans and fame on “Drag Race,” do you plan to stay in Alabama?
That’s a great question, and it’s one that I ask myself a lot, to be honest. I wish I could give a definite answer, but I’m not really sure. I have realized recently, especially after being on the show, that I’m not as in control as I think I am. I’ve learned that it’s way better to just surrender to the universe in a way. And the universe is my oyster, so whatever happens will happen.
It’s not in my plan or my goal to leave. I would love to cultivate more of a queer space and community here in Alabama. That would be my end goal and my dream. So we’ll see what happens. But y’all aren’t getting rid of me just yet, so don’t think I’m just gonna run off.
What would you like to say to the people in Alabama who are going to be watching the finale and rooting for you to win?
I just want to say thank y’all so much. I want to say stay strong. What an honor to be able to represent all the beautiful people of Alabama, because there are so many beautiful people out there who are on the right side of history, and are wanting to make change.
I’m hoping that all the little queer boys and girls out there see me from Alabama chasing my dream and doing it. And I hope they never stop chasing their dreams. Don’t listen to the outside world. Sometimes, being from a country place is not the easiest place to be different, but just know that it’s all going to work out. Shoot for the stars, and you just might become one.
If you watch:The Season 17 finale of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs on Friday, April 18, at 7 p.m. CT on MTV. Episodes are filmed in advance.
With this deal, Walmart customers can get the Homall 3-Piece Casual Bistro Set with grey cushions for just $80 compared it its original list price of $175. There are other color options available that are also on sale at different price points, but no more than $95.
Homall 3-Piece Patio Bistro Set with grey cushions – $80
The Homall 3-Piece Patio Bistro Set with grey cushions is only $80 at Walmart this week. Other colors are also on sale for less than $95.
According to Walmart, crafted with high-quality PE rattan, a sturdy metal frame and weather-resistant material, the Homall 3-piece patio furniture bistro set guarantees durability and a long lifespan.
“The Homall 3-piece patio furniture set includes one coffee table and two single chairs, made from durable PE rattan and a sturdy metal frame. The stylish glass top table is great for enjoying drinks or coffee, and its weather-resistant design makes cleaning easy,” Walmart’s product deals state.
“The cushions are removable for simple maintenance, and the tempered glass surface wipes clean quickly. Ergonomically designed for comfort, this set is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, enhancing your relaxation experience.”
Jackson County authorities Friday morning were still looking for a man believed to have briefly abducted an 11-year-old boy Wednesday morning.
The incident happened at around 7 a.m. on County Road 14 in Flat Rock.
Sheriff Rocky Harnen said the boy told investigators he was walking his dog when he saw a man who was breaking into his mother’s car. The man allegedly pointed a gun at the child, forcing him into a truck.
Harnen said according to the boy, the man drove him about a quarter of a mile down the road, hit him in the stomach with the butt of the gun, and forced him out of the vehicle. The man then threw the gun out of the truck and drove on.
Harnen said the gun was later identified as one owned by the boy’s mother. It had been stored inside her vehicle.
Citing the boy’s description, Harnen said the man was tall and slender, wearing a dark Nike hoodie and a black COVID surgical mask. He was driving a single-cab black truck, believed to be a Ford Ranger.
An Arab man has died after spending almost two weeks on life support in a Tuscon, Ariz. hospital after he was attacked by a man with a hatchet.
Jacob Couch, 32, died Thursday, according to 13 News in Tuscon.
Couch and his wife Kristen were sitting on a bench at a Tuscon bus station April 5 at around 10 a.m. when a man reportedly approached them and began shouting at them. According to investigators, Jacob said something to the man, who then hit Jacob in the neck with a hatchet.
Family members told the media the blow severed an artery in the back of his neck in half and hit his skull.
“He was a very non-confrontational person,” Kristen said. “He wasn’t aggressive. He was kind, he was so kind.”
Daniel Michael, 25, was arrested three days later in his home. According to court documents, investigators found a hatchet in his apartment as well as clothes they believe he wore during the incident. There is also security footage of the attack.
Michael’s charges will likely be upgraded. He currently faces two counts of aggravated assault and is being held on a $1 million bond.
Couch’s death came shortly after the Tucson community held a prayer gathering Thursday night at 7 p.m. outside of Banner–University Medical Center Tucson for him, according to KGUN.
The 2025 NFL Draft starts on Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with the 32 first-round picks. AL.com is counting down to the event by highlighting the best choice – overall, from the SEC and of players from Alabama high schools and colleges — made with each of the first 32 picks in the 89 NFL drafts.
Best No. 6 pick: Syracuse running back Jim Brown by the Cleveland Browns in 1957
When Brown retired after nine NFL seasons to become an actor, he had 2,589 more rushing yards and 29 more rushing touchdowns than any other player in league history. Brown now ranks 11th in rushing yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns on the NFL’s all-time lists.
But 60 years after he retired, Brown still ranks as the NFL’s career leader in rushing yards per game with an average of 104.3. He led the league in rushing yards eight times in his nine seasons, was the first-team All-Pro running back eight times in nine seasons, won the NFL MVP Award three times (and finished second in the voting twice), made the Pro Bowl every year of his career and started every Cleveland game from 1957 through 1965.
Brown is among the 15 Pro Football Hall of Famers who were No. 6 picks, and three were members of the NFL All-Time Team picked for the league’s centennial in 2019, with Sammy Baugh and Walter Jones joining Brown.
The sixth selection in last year’s draft was LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers by the New York Giants.
Best No. 6 pick from the SEC: Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones by the Atlanta Falcons in 2011
The Falcons traded five draft picks to move up 20 spots in 2011 to acquire Jones. In the former Foley High School star’s time with Atlanta, he had more receiving yards than any player had compiled in his first 10 seasons except for Jerry Rice.
That’s even though Jones’ final season with the Falcons was cut in half by injuries. Over the next three seasons, Jones missed 20 games, and he announced his retirement this month.
But for six consecutive seasons during his Atlanta heyday, Jones led the NFC in receiving yards and twice led the NFL in that statistic.
Jones was a first-team All-Pro pick twice, a second-team choice three times and a Pro Bowler seven times in his first nine seasons.
Of the 20 SEC players picked at No. 6, LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers is the most recent after going to the New York Giants in 2024.
Best No. 6 pick with Alabama football roots: Florida State offensive tackle Walter Jones by the Seattle Seahawks in 1997
After the Seahawks drafted Jones, the former Aliceville High School standout started the next 180 games at left tackle for Seattle before a knee injury prematurely ended his career in his 12th season.
Jones was Pro Bowler nine times, a first-team All-Pro four times, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in his first year of eligibility and a member of the NFL All-Time Team selected for the league’s centennial in 2019.
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
ASICS just dropped its latest running shoe perfect for those who want a sneaker that provides both speed and comfort: The S4+ YOGIRI.
The new ASICS S4+ YOGIRI was specifically designed to help marathon runners achieve their racing goals, however, its super stylish and comfortable design makes it perfect for anyone who is on their feet all day.
ASICS S4+ YOGIRI
The S4+ YOGIRI running shoe is ASICS newest sneaker designed to help one achieve their racing goals.
While most ASICS sneakers come in a variety of styles/colors to choose from, the S4+ YOGIRI only comes in one design in both men’s and women’s sizes. However, it’s chic and modern look can go with just about any workout or casual outfit.
“The S4+™ YOGIRI shoe is designed to support your racing goals. In addition to the softer cushioning experience, this shoe helps create better stability throughout your stride.,” ASICS states. “
“A sculpted carbon plate is designed to help improve stability and propel your foot forward. This helps create a smoother and more propulsive experience during the toe-off phase of your stride. Additionally, this shoe is updated with FF TURBO™ cushioning, which helps you experience a more energetic toe-off during tempo runs and races.”
Two high-profile food recalls are at the top of the list of recent Walmart recalls.
Ready-to-eat celery sticks and Frito Lay Tortilla Chips were recalled due to possible contamination or allergy issues. Other recalls cover baby swings and portable chargers.
The recall was made due to possible listeria contamination after a sample at a Georgia Walmart location tested positive. Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people or others were weakened immune systems.
A limited number of 13 oz. bags of Tostitos Cantina Traditional Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips were recalled due to the possibility of an undeclared milk. People with an allergy or severe milk sensitivity could run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction.
The chips were distributed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is urging people to stop using IxDregan Infant Swings due to a risk of suffocation. The swings, sold at Walmart, have an incline angle greater than 10 degrees, posing a suffocation hazard. Also, some models of the swings contain button cell or coin batteries which can post a choking hazard.
People are advised to stop using the swings immediately.
Portable Power Banks
Casely Wireless Portable Power Banks sold at Walmart can pose a fire hazard, the CPSC warned. The lithium-ion battery in the recalled power banks can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards. About 429,000 units are included in the recall.
Comeonroa Infant Swings
About 410 units of Comeonroa Infant Swings sold on Walmart.com have been recalled due a possible suffocation hazard. The swings have an incline greater than 10 degrees which is a violation of the Safe Sleep for Babies Act. The swings also fail to meet mandatory warning requirements under the swing standard and are missing the required warnings and instructions related to button cell and coin batteries.
