After once-departed college basketball players could regain eligibility and return to school, Alabama entered the fray as forward Charles Bediako returned to the program, following a temporary restraining order after suing the NCAA to regain eligibility. Recently, Bediako played a few seasons in NBA’s G-League.
In advance of Alabama’s lone game this week, facing the Tennessee Volunteers at home on Saturday, this story was the main focus not just with Alabama, but the SEC and college basketball as a whole.
Here’s what you may have missed this week in Alabama Athletics.
More on Bediako’s return
In the build-up to Saturday’s game vs. Tennessee, the question of Charles Bediako playing remained in question, but Nate Oats put those questions to bed, saying he would end up playing on Saturday, since he’s eligible.
AL.com columnist Joe Goodman also shared his thoughts on Bediako playing and wondering if this may lead to more Crimson Tide returns.
The college hoops world can fake all the outrage it wants, but I give Alabama coach Nate Oats and athletics director Greg Byrne total credit for such a brilliant piece of creative roster management. The Tide needs an extra rebounder. Bediako makes Alabama a legitimate national title contender. Everyone else is just mad they didn’t think of it first.
My only hope is that Alabama is getting Bediako at a discount so the Tide can maybe bring in other pros, too.
Coaches react to Bediako coming back to Bama
Once the news of Charles Bediako’s immediate return to Alabama became news, coaches in the SEC gave their reactions.
One reaction came from Alabama’s opponent this Saturday, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes questioned the decision.
“Everybody comes to college and has college eligibility,” Barnes said. “When you make the choice to give up your college eligibility, you’ve given it up. And I don’t care if it’s someone that’s been in the service comes back, once they start that clock, they’ve made that choice.”
Florida head coach Todd Golden also spoke about Bediako’s return, offering a more tongue-in-cheek response, but also offered his take ahead of Florida’s matchup with Alabama next week.
“We’re going to beat them anyways,” Golden said on his radio show Thursday night. “If he plays, we’ll beat them anyways.”
“The reality is, I don’t agree with it,” said Golden, whose Gators will face Alabama on Feb. 1. “I don’t think he should be playing.”
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope also offered his opinion, even if he wasn’t asked.
“I’m going to take a minute to talk about this just so you get our word here on what’s happening in the NCAA right now with eligibility,” Pope said.
“We’re all shaking our hands, being like this is so incredibly creative. I’ll give you my two cents, just so you have it. At some point, I don’t have any hard feelings towards anybody making any decision because every single college program and college coach are the most competitive people in the world. They’re going to try and find any avenue they can to find an advantage. It’s what we’re paid to do. It’s what we do.”
NFL draft expert talks Ty Simpson
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) works in the pocket against Oklahoma during the first half in the first round of an NCAA College Football Playoff, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Norman, Okla.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) works in the pocket against Oklahoma during the first half in the first round of an NCAA College Football Playoff, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Norman, Okla.AP Photo/Nate Billings
For over 40 years, NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper knows a thing or two about the NFL draft and has an eye for talent. In his latest mock draft, Kiper has Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson going in the first round to the New York Jets. While Simpson is projected to go in the first round, Kiper has concerns.
“Let’s be clear, though: I do have some concerns about Simpson,” Kiper said. “He has 15 career starts, which means this pick would come with a lot of risk. That’s just not enough game experience. We also can’t ignore his dip in performance in the second half of the 2025 season.
“But there’s also no questioning his upside. Simpson has good pocket presence, and he fired 28 touchdown passes and only five interceptions this past season. If the Jets can surround him with talent on offense and develop him, he has a high ceiling.”