Alabama football: 2 last-minute transfer portal additions for Kalen DeBoer
Why shouldn’t new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer look at his past players in the transfer portal?
The retirement of famed Alabama football head coach Nick Saban has led to a new wave of players entering the fray just as the transfer window was starting to slowly close. Although Kalen DeBoer is a great addition to the Crimson Tide, nobody should be critical of the few players Saban signed who have already added their names to the site.
After transferring to the University of Texas, wide receiver Isaiah Bond has not only accessed the portal but has also found a new place to call home. Both offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and standout freshman safety Caleb Downs have declared their intentions to transfer.
But there are plenty of players for DeBoer to pursue as well. He likely will be able to land a few marquee players who are in the portal at the moment. The question now becomes who will DeBoer be able to bring to Tuscaloosa? A few players in particular stand out as great options for DeBoer to bolster Alabama’s roster in wake of Saban’s retirement and related defections.
Jabbar Muhammad, Cornerback
If former Saban recruits are leaving the Alabama football program, how about DeBoer brings in some of his former players from Washington? One player who would make a big impact for the Tide cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, who starred for the Huskies during their run to the CFP championship game. Not only did Muhammad rack up two sacks and nab three interceptions last season, but he was a truly lockdown cover man.
Muhammad routinely accepted the challenge of defending the opposing team’s best receiver and held his own. Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin might be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Muhammad held up well against him.
Muhammad is an excellent player, and the Tide will want secondary reinforcement. As a rookie safety last season, Downs was Alabama’s top defensive backfield player and is already in the portal. Despite the availability of elite cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold—both of whom could get their names called in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft—he achieved that distinction.
Muhammad’s introduction by the Tide would be highly logical. They are in need of reinforcements at cornerback, and Muhammad’s head coach is well aware of his abilities. DeBoer needs to arrange for him to travel to Tuscaloosa.
