With action in the transfer portal slowing down, it is time to take a closer look at how each P4 school did during this cycle. Up now are the Alabama Crimson Tide
The skinny: Up until head coach Nick Saban’s sudden retirement on January 12th, Alabama had only needed to plug a few holes through the transfer portal during recent cycles. Suddenly they had to be much more aggressive, as numerous players quickly made themselves available which immediately created more holes than Alabama is used to dealing with. After losing elite talent like defensive back Caleb Downs, wide receiver Isaiah Bond and tight end Amari Niblack, new head coach Kalen DeBoer was tasked with the job of reloading the roster. For the first time in a long time, there will be questioning eyes pointed at the Tide as many will be curious to see how they deal with this monumental coaching change.
Total # of players who entered portal: 48
Total # of scholarship players who entered portal: 30
Number of scholarship players who withdrew: 0
Key losses: DB Caleb Downs (Ohio State), WR Isaiah Bond (Texas), QB Julien Sayin (Ohio State), TE Amari Niblack (Texas), WR Ja’Corey Brooks (Louisville)
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Key additions: OL Kadyn Proctor (Iowa), DB King Mack (Penn State), DB Keon Sabb (Michigan), DB Domani Jackson (USC), OL Parker Brailsford (Washington)
Final thoughts: Alabama has been the most consistent program in the country during the last 15 years, so Saban’s sudden retirement brings some unexpected intrigue to Tuscaloosa. New head coach Kalen DeBoer did a quality job quieting any noise by adding several key players through the portal since late January. The most important addition was All-American offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor, who also became one of the more unique stories of this cycle, after he transferred back home to Iowa, only to quickly return to Tuscaloosa. The Tide still return an impressive amount of talent, and with the additions of several key players through the portal, they should be in the mix for the SEC Championship once again.
