The Transfer Portal window has officially closed - well, kind of.
While the deadline for players to enter the portal was Friday at midnight, schools still have 48 hours to process paperwork. And with weekends and holidays not counting toward that window, a few more names could trickle in by midweek. But as of now, Alabama doesn’t appear to be bracing for any more exits.
That doesn’t mean the work is done in Tuscaloosa. New head coach Kalen DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan still have roster holes to fill - and they’ve already made some key moves to reshape this team.
Rebuilding on the Fly
Let’s start with the big picture: Alabama has seen 22 players exit via the Transfer Portal. That’s a significant number, especially for a program that prides itself on depth and continuity. But the Crimson Tide have countered with 15 new additions - and several of them are expected to make an immediate impact.
The latest additions came Friday, when Alabama landed two offensive linemen: Racin Delgatty from Cal Poly and Nick Brooks from Texas. Both bring size, experience, and the kind of upside Alabama needs in the trenches.
DeBoer and his staff have responded impressively after a rocky start to portal season, which included losing Hollywood Smothers to Texas and missing out on elite wideout Cam Coleman. But the Crimson Tide have steadied the ship - and they’re not done yet.
Let’s take a closer look at where the roster still needs reinforcements.
Offensive Line: One More Piece Could Complete the Puzzle
Alabama’s offensive line has gone through a major overhaul - and it needed one. The unit underperformed the past two seasons, and DeBoer clearly made it a priority to rebuild from the inside out.
So far, Alabama has added four offensive linemen through the portal: Delgatty, Brooks, Michigan transfer Kaden Strayhorn, and Ty Haywood. Combine that with five incoming freshmen in the 2026 recruiting class, and the Tide will have nine new faces in the O-line room next season.
That’s a solid number, but one more addition would round things out nicely. Fifteen scholarship linemen is a healthy number for a team with championship aspirations.
One name to watch: Ethan Fields, a transfer guard from Ole Miss. He’s played in 19 games over the last two seasons and brings SEC experience - a valuable trait for a unit that’ll need to jell quickly in a new offensive system.
Wide Receiver: Top-End Talent, But Thin on Numbers
Alabama’s wide receiver room has star power, but not a lot of depth. Returning players Ryan Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, Rico Scott, and Derek Meadows form a solid core. Add in 4-star freshman Cederian Morgan and NC State transfer Noah Rogers, and you’ve got six scholarship receivers on the roster.
That’s not enough.
Alabama is likely looking to add two or three more wideouts - not necessarily to start, but to provide depth, push the competition, and give the offense more flexibility.
One key target is Nico Brown, a Yale transfer who’s on campus this weekend. Brown was an FCS All-American last season, racking up over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s got the production, the hands, and the route-running polish to compete right away.
Even if Brown commits, expect the Tide to pursue at least one or two more pass-catchers before spring ball.
Edge Rusher: Replacing Explosiveness Off the Edge
Losing both Qua Russaw and Noah Carter to the portal was a hit to Alabama’s pass rush. Right now, only two Wolf linebackers from last season remain: Yhonzae Pierre and Justin Hill.
Pierre is a rising star - one of the top returning edge rushers in the country - and Hill has shown flashes of big-time potential. Add in 5-star freshman Xavier Griffin, who’s expected to start his career in that group, and there’s a foundation to build on.
Still, Alabama needs at least one more edge rusher. Not necessarily a proven star, but someone with the right frame and tools to develop.
Two names that have emerged as potential fits: Javeon Campbell from Kentucky and Desmond Umeozulu from South Carolina. Both bring size and SEC experience, and either would add valuable depth to a position group that’s suddenly thin.
Defensive Line: Reloading After Heavy Losses
This might be the biggest area of concern right now.
Alabama lost its entire Bandit group - LT Overton graduated, while Keon Keeley, Jordan Renaud, and Kelby Collins all hit the portal. On the interior, Tim Keenan aged out and James Smith transferred.
That’s a lot of talent out the door.
So far, Alabama has brought in Devan Thompkins from USC and Caleb Smith from Washington. Thompkins is a versatile piece who can play Bandit or slide inside on passing downs. Smith is more of a long-term project but has the athleticism to develop.
The big target now is Terrance Green, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound defensive tackle from Oregon. He’s visiting Tuscaloosa this weekend, and he’d be a massive (literally and figuratively) addition to the run defense. If Alabama can land him, a starting trio of Green, London Simmons, and Thompkins would give the Tide a formidable front on standard downs.
Running Back: Honorable Mention Need
With Hollywood Smothers flipping to Texas, Alabama’s running back room took a hit. But this isn’t a desperate situation.
The Tide still have five scholarship backs: Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, AK Dear, EJ Crowell, and Tra’Shawn Brown. That’s a solid group, even if it lacks a proven star at the moment.
Unless a surprise name emerges in the portal, Alabama may stand pat here and let the competition play out in spring ball.
Final Thoughts
The Transfer Portal chapter isn’t quite closed yet - paperwork and late entries could still trickle in - but Alabama’s plan is coming into focus. After a few early stumbles, DeBoer and Morgan have steadied the roster and addressed key needs with purpose.
There’s still work to do, especially along the defensive front and at wide receiver, but the foundation is being rebuilt in real time. And if a few more pieces fall into place, the Crimson Tide could be right back in the thick of things next fall.