By Mark Pszonak
With the retirement of head coach Nick Saban, Alabama players were immediately eligible to enter the transfer portal. Several from our initial list have already entered their names (Caleb Downs, Isaiah Bond, Kadyn Proctor and Amari Niblack) but with a loaded roster, here are five more to keep an eye on:
DL Jaheim Oatis
The skinny: 6-foot-5, 320-pound interior defensive linemen with SEC experience don’t become available every day, so if Oatis were to enter the portal he would have his pick of destinations. He has also proven to be very productive in his two seasons with the Tide, totaling 50 tackles, three tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks while starting 13 games.
Schools to watch: Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida State
LB Jihaad Campbell
The skinny: After seeing limited playing time in 2022 as a true freshman, Campbell burst onto the scene this season with 66 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, one interception and four pass breakups while starting eight games. He accomplished this after missing the season opener with an injury. Now he is positioned to be one of the defensive team leaders in 2024.
Schools to watch: Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn
OL Tyler Booker
The skinny: Proctor isn’t the only young offensive lineman who has impressed in Tuscaloosa. Earning the starting left guard spot in fall camp, Booker was named first-team All-SEC after his performance this season. At 6-foot-5, 352-pounds, he is a powerful and equally productive as both a pass and run blocker. Booker would immediately improve any offensive line in the country.
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Schools to watch: Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame
QB Ty Simpson
The skinny: Simpson wasn’t going to be on this list, but with the recent transfer of Austin Mack from Washington to Alabama, the quarterback room has gotten a bit crowded in Tuscaloosa. The redshirt freshman has already gained some valuable experience, but with Jalen Milroe likely returning for the 2024 season, a transfer would likely expedite his chances to become a starter.
Schools to watch: North Carolina, Arizona State, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Arkansas
RB Justice Haynes
The skinny: As a true freshman in 2023, Haynes showcased his potential while rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries (6.7 yards per carry). His commitment to Alabama came as a surprise to many considering his father, Verron Hayes, was a running back at Georgia twenty years ago. Could a transfer to the Bulldogs be coming?
Schools to watch: Georgia, USC, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Florida State
