Bold headline-worthy issue: the CFP’s new public availability rules are changing how fans see injuries, and the ripple effects touch every program, coach, and player. Here's a thoroughly rewritten version that preserves all essential details, expands with context for clarity, and invites thoughtful discussion.
The 2025 College Football Playoff kickoffs at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, with a marquee first-round game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium: No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2) versus No. 9 Alabama (10-3). The two programs are meeting in the postseason rematch of their regular-season showdown from November 15, a 23-21 Oklahoma win in Tuscaloosa.
Oklahoma, led by fourth-year head coach Brent Venables, has won both of their recent matchups against Alabama, including a dominant 24-3 victory last season in Norman that effectively ended Alabama’s CFP hopes in 2024. The Sooners also hold a 5-2-1 edge in the all-time series as these two budding conference rivals face off again.
Before the playoff games begin, the CFP is releasing official availability reports in an effort to promote fair competition, safeguard student-athlete and staff wellbeing, and ensure public transparency. The 2025 season marks CFP’s first policy requiring each participating program to publicly disclose player availability via a standardized report.
Under the policy, teams must categorize players as “available,” “probable,” “questionable,” “doubtful,” or “out” by 8 p.m. ET three days before their playoff game, with daily updates and a final report released 90 minutes before kickoff. This is designed to provide a clear, consistent picture of who may contribute on game day.
Here are the initial playoff availability reports released Tuesday night for Alabama and Oklahoma:
No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners
- Gentry Williams — Out
- Kendel Dolby — Out
- Jeremiah Newcombe — Out
- Troy Everett — Out
- Jake Maikkula — Questionable
- Jovantae Barnes — Probable
No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide
- Kameron Howard — Out
- Jah-Marien Latham — Out
- Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. — Out
- LT Overton — Out
- Kevin Riley — Out
- Jeremiah Beaman — Out
- Josh Cuevas — Questionable
- Danny Lewis Jr. — Questionable
Alabama updates from head coach Kalen DeBoer highlighted the status of several key contributors who have been limited lately, with hopes that some will return this week. Center Parker Brailsford, running back Jam Miller, and tight end Josh Cuevas have all been practicing and progressing, following their absence in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. DeBoer offered cautious optimism, noting that four days remain to evaluate these players as practice continues. He commented that all three were out there participating in practice, giving a positive sign for potential gameday contributions.
On the Oklahoma side, head coach Brent Venables announced that cornerback Gentry Williams will miss the postseason after shoulder surgery. He also acknowledged two other starting defenders—defensive end Mason Thomas and center Jake Maikkula—whose statuses were less clear as the week progressed. Venables emphasized that Williams’ injury is definitive for the postseason, while the others would be evaluated as more information becomes available. Mason Thomas has missed Oklahoma’s last three games with a quad injury sustained against Tennessee, and Jake Maikkula sat out the regular-season finale against LSU due to an infection. Venables stressed the importance of player availability, noting that both Thomas and Maikkula are valuable starters who contribute significantly on every snap. If they’re able to play, they’ll play; if not, the team must adjust accordingly.
This coverage is a joint effort, with additional input from On3’s Griffin McVeigh and Steve Samra contributing to the reporting.
If you’re following the CFP playoff chase this year, these availability updates can influence not only game strategy but also fan expectations and the broader conversation around player health, recovery timelines, and how public disclosures may shape the sport’s narrative. What do you think about the new public availability reporting? Should more programs disclose additional details about practice status, injury severity, or recovery timelines? Share your thoughts in the comments.
