Alabama didn’t land the flashiest Transfer Portal class this offseason, but don’t let the lack of five-star headlines fool you - Kalen DeBoer and GM Courtney Morgan went to work. With 20 additions through the portal, the Crimson Tide weren’t just filling gaps. They were building a roster with purpose.
Some of the names are already familiar. Others?
Not so much. But it’s often the under-the-radar guys who end up making the biggest difference when the lights come on in the fall.
Let’s take a closer look at three portal additions who may not have generated a ton of buzz, but could play pivotal roles in Alabama’s 2026 campaign.
1. Josh Ford, TE, Oklahoma State
Josh Ford isn’t going to lead the team in receptions. He’s not going to stretch the field or rack up YAC. But what he will do is something Alabama sorely missed in 2025 - bring a physical, inline presence at tight end.
The 6-foot-6, 265-pound transfer from Oklahoma State was the first player to commit to Alabama’s portal class, jumping on board even before the window officially opened following Mike Gundy’s dismissal. Ford’s receiving numbers in Stillwater were modest - just 13 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns across two seasons - but that’s not why he’s in Tuscaloosa.
Ford is a blocker. A tone-setter.
The kind of tight end who can seal the edge, move bodies in the run game, and give Alabama’s offense a physical identity at the point of attack. With Robbie Ouzts off to the NFL, Ford steps into a clear vacancy, and under new tight ends coach Richard Owens - who brings an offensive line background - his role should be clearly defined and highly valued.
If Alabama wants to reestablish dominance in the trenches and give its run game some teeth, Ford could be a key piece of that puzzle.
2. Kedrick Bingley-Jones, DL, Mississippi State
Alabama’s defensive line got a major facelift through the portal, and while names like Devan Thompkins (USC) and Terrance Green (Oregon) drew more attention, don’t sleep on Kedrick Bingley-Jones.
The former North Carolina and Mississippi State defensive lineman brings a rare level of experience to the room - we’re talking about a guy entering his seventh year of college football. That kind of mileage matters, especially in the SEC trenches.
At 6-foot-4 and over 300 pounds, Bingley-Jones has the versatility to play both nose and defensive tackle. He may not have the recruiting pedigree of some of his fellow portal additions, but he’s battle-tested and hungry. After bouncing between programs and finally landing in Tuscaloosa, he’s got something to prove.
And here’s the thing: Alabama doesn’t need him to be a superstar. They need him to be dependable.
To eat space. To anchor the middle and allow the linebackers behind him to roam free.
Bingley-Jones is the kind of player who might not fill up the stat sheet, but whose presence can elevate the entire front seven.
3. Racin Delgatty, IOL, Cal Poly
If there’s one name among Alabama’s offensive line additions to circle heading into spring camp, it’s Racin Delgatty. The Cal Poly transfer may not come from a Power Five background, but his tape - and his fit in Ryan Grubb’s offensive system - speaks volumes.
Delgatty is a natural center with the athleticism to thrive in space. He can pull, climb to the second level, and execute the kind of movement-based blocking that Grubb’s offense demands. He’ll need to bulk up a bit to handle SEC interior defensive linemen, but the foundation is there.
Cole Cubelic, one of the more respected voices on offensive line play in the SEC, recently compared Delgatty to Parker Brailsford - Alabama’s former center who left big shoes to fill. That’s high praise, and it’s not given lightly.
Spring ball will be critical for Delgatty as he adjusts to the speed and physicality of SEC play, but don’t be surprised if he emerges as the starting center by the time fall rolls around. He’s got the tools, the mindset, and the scheme fit to make a real impact.
Bottom line: This isn’t a portal class built on hype. It’s built on fit.
On need. On guys who can come in, do a job, and help Alabama win football games.
Josh Ford brings toughness to the tight end room. Kedrick Bingley-Jones brings experience and depth to the defensive line.
And Racin Delgatty may just be the next anchor of the Crimson Tide’s offensive front.
They may not be the headliners - but don’t be surprised if they’re the difference-makers.