Alabama’s Transfer Portal Haul Signals a Rebuild in the Trenches, Not a Quick Fix
The transfer portal has officially closed, and for Alabama, that means the dust is finally starting to settle on one of the most pivotal offseasons in recent program history. After a Rose Bowl loss to eventual national champion Indiana, emotions were raw and the need for reinforcements-particularly in the trenches-was urgent and undeniable.
Let’s be clear: Alabama didn’t go star-chasing this cycle. Instead, they went shopping for grit, size, and potential.
The 2026 transfer class isn’t flashy, but it’s focused. Of the 16 incoming transfers listed in the 247Sports database, 11 are linemen-six on offense, five on defense.
That’s a clear signal from the Crimson Tide: the battle starts at the line of scrimmage, and that’s where they’re trying to win it back.
They did swing and miss on some high-profile skill players-NC State running back Hollywood Smothers and Auburn wideout Cam Coleman both ended up choosing Texas-but Alabama doubled down on the big men and the core pieces they already had. Add in a change at offensive line coach, with Adrian Klemm expected to take over, and you’ve got a program trying to reset the tone up front after a 2025 season that, frankly, fell apart in the trenches.
Let’s talk about that offensive line. It was a group that struggled mightily last season, culminating in the worst average rushing performance in program history.
That’s not hyperbole-that’s the stat sheet. And when tight end Josh Cuevas, now out of eligibility, diplomatically says the communication “can get tremendously better,” it’s a polite way of pointing out just how broken things were.
Blitz pickup, pressure handling, pre-snap reads-it was all too inconsistent.
Cuevas, speaking at the Senior Bowl, didn’t sugarcoat it: “We had a little bit of trouble handling pressure and blitzes from defenses all year,” he said. “The communication part just absolutely needs to get better.”
The good news? There’s a new wave coming in.
The not-so-good news? Most of them are still question marks.
Take the offensive line additions. Kaden Strayhorn and Ty Haywood arrive from Michigan with a combined 29 snaps under their belts.
Ethan Fields, a guard from Mississippi, logged 63 plays last year. All three come from programs that just changed head coaches-so it’s a fresh start for them and Alabama alike.
Jayvin James is the most experienced of the bunch, a two-year starter at left tackle for Mississippi State. And then there’s Racin Delgatty, a center who played over 1,300 snaps at Cal Poly.
He allowed just one sack in three seasons, but that was at the FCS level. Still, Alabama fans will remember that Josh Cuevas also came from Cal Poly before becoming a key contributor, so there’s precedent for that jump.
But let’s not pretend this group is turning heads just yet. There’s no surefire All-American in the mix. It’s a group full of potential, not production-a theme that’s become all too familiar in Tuscaloosa lately.
HaHa Clinton-Dix once said Alabama’s identity was built on “production over potential.” That’s not what this class is-at least not yet.
Right now, it’s a collection of spare parts. Some might fit perfectly, others may not.
But the coaching staff is betting that with the right development and cohesion, this group can grow into something much more.
The stakes? They couldn’t be higher.
Last year’s transfer class didn’t exactly pan out. Of the 12 players brought in, only three became regular starters: offensive lineman Kam Dewberry, wide receiver Isaiah Horton, and punter Blake Doud. None of them are returning in 2026.
Recruiting services aren’t sold on this year’s group either. ESPN ranked Alabama’s portal class 23rd.
247Sports had them at 16th. On3, factoring in both incoming and outgoing players, slotted the Tide all the way down at 46th.
Those numbers don’t scream “instant contender,” but again, this isn’t about flash-it’s about fixing the foundation.
And that starts with the offensive line. Alabama lost all but one starter-right tackle Michael Carroll-and significant depth.
That’s why Klemm’s hire matters. He’s tasked with reshaping a unit that couldn’t control the line of scrimmage last fall, and in Tuscaloosa, that’s non-negotiable.
The returnees, high school signees, and transfers all have something in common: they haven’t proven anything yet. But they also haven’t failed. That’s the opportunity in front of them.
So, yes, the portal chaos is over. But the real work is just beginning.
By the time September rolls around, we’ll know if this group can turn raw potential into the kind of production Alabama football is built on. Because one thing’s for sure: the pressure is on, and it’s coming straight up the middle.