Alabama Has Full Class Worth of Players in Transfer Portal in Wake of Saban Retirement
Nick Saban’s retirement was always going to spur on questions about Alabama’s future. The fact that it comes in the transfer portal era creates an immediate issue for new coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff. As with many schools in similar situations, Alabama has seen a rash of entrants into the transfer portal in the weeks since the Crimson Tide’s loss to Michigan at the Rose Bowl.
One of the biggest transfer decisions happened on Wednesday morning, according to reports, when All-American defensive back Caleb Downs, a freshman, started the portal registration process. Georgia, another SEC powerhouse, is already interacting with him following the departure of defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson from Alabama’s staff to work with Kirby Smart in Athens.
This is the most recent development in an alarming but predictable trend for Alabama.Downs would be the 27th member of the Crimson Tide to access the site, according to 247Sports. All told, Alabama is losing a sizable class of guys who were recruited.
Of those players, nineteen have already committed to or enrolled in other schools, with numerous players attending rival schools including Florida State, Texas, and Ohio State:
- QB Tyler Buchner – committed to Notre Dame (lacrosse)
- QB Eli Holstein – committed to Pitt
- RB Roydell Williams – enrolled at Florida State
- WR Malik Benson – enrolled at Florida State
- WR Isaiah Bond – committed to Texas
- WR Ja’Corey Brooks- committed to Louisville
- WR Shazz Preston – committed to Tulane
- TE Miles Kitselman – committed to Tennessee
- OL Terrence Ferguson – enrolled at Florida State
- OL Seth McLaughlin – committed to Ohio State
- DL Anquin Barnes – committed to Colorado
- DL Monkell Goodwine – committed to South Carolina
- DL Isaiah Hastings – committed to Syracuse
- LB Kendrick Blackshire – committed to Texas
- LB Shawn Murphy – committed to Florida State
- CB Earl Little II – enrolled at Florida State
- CB Dezz Ricks – committed to Texas A&M
- S Jake Pope – committed to Georgia
- S Kristian Story – enrolled at Kentucky
Seven more players remain available:
- WR Thaiu Jones-Bell
- WR Hayden Neighbors
- TE Amari Niblack
- TE Jax Porter
- LB Ian Jackson
- CB Trey Amos
- CB Antonio Kite
The list includes some significant contributors to the 2023 SEC champions.
Williams was the team’s second-leading rusher, with 560 yards and five touchdowns. Bond led the team with 48 receptions, and was second on the roster with 668 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Niblack had 20 receptions for 327 yards and was tied with Bond with four touchdowns.
Given his first-year impact at Alabama and the fact he will play for at least two more seasons in college, Downs will jump to the top of the list when he formally enters.
Three transfers have already arrived at Alabama: cornerback Domani Jackson from USC, defensive lineman LT Overton and offensive tackle Naquil Betrand from Texas A&M. This number is sure to alter as DeBoer fills out his staff and begins planning for 2024. In the event that the new staff is amenable to their return, uncommitted athletes in the portal may also withdraw and head back to Alabama.
Anyhow, the Alabama team that played in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day will not resemble this one at all next season.
