Alabama's Portal Struggles Raise Eyebrows, But It's Too Early to Call the DeBoer Era a Bust
The January transfer portal window has closed, and if you're an Alabama fan, it's fair to feel a little uneasy. Kalen DeBoer’s first major roster test as head coach didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
The Crimson Tide didn’t just miss out on key targets-they lost a string of high-upside players to direct SEC rivals and national contenders. And in a program where the standard is championships, that’s the kind of movement that doesn’t go unnoticed.
Let’s break it down.
The Departures: A Concerning Trend
The biggest concern isn’t just who Alabama failed to land-it’s who they lost. EDGE Jordan Renaud is heading to Ole Miss.
Wide receiver Isaiah Horton and offensive tackle Wilkin Formby are now with Texas A&M. EDGE Keon Keeley took his talents to Notre Dame, and EDGE Qua Russaw is off to Ohio State.
Add in James Smith, another former top recruit, and you’ve got a list of six 4-star players (per 247Sports) who left Tuscaloosa for either SEC rivals or perennial playoff contenders.
That’s not just a talent drain-that’s a red flag.
For context, Alabama’s 2025 outgoing portal class featured only a handful of players with similar pedigree. This year’s exodus is a stark contrast and a sign that the program’s grip on elite talent might be loosening.
The Misses: Cam Coleman and Hollywood Smothers
The Tide didn’t just lose talent-they swung and missed on some key additions, too. Cam Coleman, a five-star wide receiver and one of the most sought-after names in the portal, chose Texas over Alabama.
That one stings. Not only is Coleman a game-changer, but landing him would’ve sent a strong message that Alabama was still a top-tier destination, even in the post-Saban era.
Running back Hollywood Smothers briefly committed to Alabama, only to flip to Texas as well. That’s two high-profile offensive weapons who looked at what DeBoer was building and decided to go elsewhere.
The Silver Lining: A Strong 2026 High School Class
If there’s a bright spot, it’s Alabama’s 2026 high school recruiting class, which is shaping up to be one of the best in the country. But let’s be honest-leaning on freshmen to carry the load isn’t how Alabama built its dynasty. Experience still wins in college football, and relying too heavily on youth is a risky bet, especially in the SEC.
DeBoer’s Vision: Scheme Over Stars?
It’s clear that Kalen DeBoer isn’t trying to replicate the Nick Saban model. He’s not chasing five-stars just to stack the depth chart.
He’s targeting players who fit his system, his culture, and his long-term vision. That worked at Washington, where he took a roster that wasn’t dripping with blue-chip talent and turned it into a national title contender.
But this isn’t the Pac-12. This is the SEC. And in a conference where talent, depth, and physicality still matter more than just about anything else, DeBoer’s approach is going to be tested early and often.
Is It Time to Panic?
Not yet. The January portal window was underwhelming, no doubt.
But one transfer cycle doesn’t define a coach’s tenure. DeBoer has a proven track record as a program builder.
He’s shown he can win with less. The question now is whether he can win with different.
Different from Saban. Different from the rest of the SEC.
The early signs? Mixed, at best.
Alabama fans are used to dominance, not developmental projects. And while DeBoer’s vision may pay off long-term, the short-term optics aren’t great.
This isn’t the kind of start that calms a fanbase still adjusting to life after the greatest coach in college football history. But it’s also not the final chapter.
The portal reopens in the spring, and recruiting never stops. DeBoer has time to right the ship-but in Tuscaloosa, the clock’s always ticking.
Right now, Alabama isn’t losing because of a lack of effort. They’re losing battles in a new era of college football where NIL, culture, and immediate opportunity all play a role. And that’s the challenge DeBoer signed up for.
The question isn’t whether he can coach. It’s whether he can evolve fast enough to keep Alabama at the top.