TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The winter transfer portal window closes on Saturday, and Alabama’s roster is in a healthier place at its close than it was at that point one year ago. Technically, three SEC teams still have to go through the full transfer process (the College Football Playoff teams), but here’s where Alabama’s departures rank in the conference:
Alabama: 14 departures (tied for ninth-most in the SEC)
Departures for the rest of the conference from most to fewest:
- Arkansas: 26
- Oklahoma: 26
- Mississippi State: 25
- Kentucky: 22
- Florida: 17
- LSU: 17
- Texas A&M: 17
- Auburn: 16
- Ole Miss: 14
- Missouri: 13
- South Carolina: 13
- Vanderbilt: 13
- *Tennessee: 11
- *Texas: 9
- *Georgia: 8
*Playoff teams
Alabama’s 39 departures in last year’s winter window, largely due to Nick Saban’s abrupt January retirement, led the SEC by a wide margin. This year’s 14 departures are closer to what’s expected in the current landscape. Last winter was about keeping as many players on the roster as possible amid the coaching turnover. Now, we’ll start to see what a Kalen DeBoer Alabama roster looks like as he has the full autonomy that he didn’t have when he arrived.
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“Last year, we were really just in full retention mode,” DeBoer said this month. “There was no portal to take any guys from. I guess other than programs that lost head coaches, that’s the situation we were in (too). We’re going to build our program with the freshman class, which I’m really excited about. We’re going to retain, and we’re going to develop the guys we have here and fill in the areas that need some numbers or maybe just need to be a little bit better on the football field on Saturdays.”
Roster numbers
Alabama has one more game to play: On Tuesday in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan. All available players have committed to playing, but after subtracting transfer departures and players out to injury, the number of healthy players sits around 60 players. Three of the injured players are expected departures: Malachi Moore, Deontae Lawson and Que Robinson while the rest are expected returners: Cole Adams, Jalen Hale, Bubba Hampton, Amari Jefferson, Kadyn Proctor and Keon Sabb.
Keon Sabb won’t play for Alabama against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. (Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)
Currently, Alabama has 26 newcomers between high school recruiting and the transfer portal. All things factored in, the scholarship count sits at 88 players before NFL draft decisions are made. Once those decisions are official, Alabama will be in a strong position to continue adding players as the CFP winds down and those teams lose players when their windows open.
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Here is where Alabama’s departures landed:
Alabama is toward the middle of the SEC in departures but is in the bottom five in additions (five). But those players can all be high-level contributors next season. Here’s a breakdown of what Alabama’s getting and what it means for that position group:
Utah CB Cameron Calhoun: Calhoun comes to Alabama with three years of eligibility left and proven Power 4 conference production with 21 tackles, nine pass break-ups — fourth-best in the Big 12 — and an interception this season. Given the uncertainty of Domani Jackson’s draft decision, this was a big addition. If Jackson returns, he, Calhoun and Zabien Brown combine for a strong cornerback trio entering 2025. If Jackson departs, Calhoun is an instant plug-and-play option opposite of Brown with a strong group of young, talented cornerbacks behind them.
Florida DL Kelby Collins: With two years of eligibility, Collins has an opportunity to be a key part of the 2025 defensive line. An SEC All-Freshman selection in 2023, Collins recorded 29 tackles, three sacks and 15 quarterback hurries in 18 career appearances. The pass-rushing numbers stand out, which is what Collins will be expected to contribute at defensive end, where Jah-Marien Latham has completed his eligibility and LT Overton has a draft decision. Collins’ path to Alabama is similar to Overton’s: a highly ranked prospect who committed to another school out of high school but landed with Alabama the second time around. There’s reason to believe he can have a similar type of impact.
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Texas A&M OL Kam Dewberry: With one year of eligibility remaining, Dewberry is a veteran who will add immediate help to Alabama’s interior offensive line. Tyler Booker is likely headed to the NFL, vacating one spot. The only other guard with true in-game experience is Geno VanDeMark, who is also the No. 2 center. With 34 career games and seven starts, Dewberry can provide instant competition at guard to start, and at worst is a swing player, he can be inserted at any time if there’s an injury as VanDeMerk was this season with Jaeden Roberts’ injuries. This type of player wasn’t available for Alabama last season because the SEC only allows in-conference transfers during the winter window.
Colorado LB Nikhai Hill-Green: With one year of eligibility remaining, Hill-Green is the most accomplished addition with 206 career tackles, eight pass deflections, four sacks and two interceptions. He was an All-Big 12 selection with Colorado this season and reunites with Sabb and Kameron Howard, his former high school teammates.
Lawson and Jihaad Campbell likely will depart for the NFL, so Hill-Green can be a plug-and-play starter in the middle of the defense. And with Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia’s recent junior college ruling against the NCAA, the door is open for Justin Jefferson to return next season. If that happens, the inside linebacker position will be in a much better position than originally thought several weeks ago.
Miami WR Isaiah Horton: With two years of eligibility, Horton can have a Hill-Green type of impact on the offense in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound prospect caught 56 passes for 616 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 and gives Alabama the big-bodied, outside receiver that can make contested catches over the middle of the field and in the red zone that the program has been missing the past few seasons. Horton, Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard form a strong starting trio, and there are depth pieces behind them to be excited about: Adams, Hale, Rico Scott and potentially Jaylen Mbakwe among other young players.
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Other needs?
It’s important to note that the portal closes for players entering on Saturday for non-remaining Playoff teams only. With those eight teams, there will be players entering the portal into January, and then it opens for every team on April 16.
Here are a few positions where Alabama could use more help:
Edge rusher: Alabama will take pass rush help whenever it comes whether it’s a defensive lineman or outside linebacker. The defense must improve on its 23 sacks from this season. But if Alabama’s choosing, the help will come in the form of an outside linebacker. Qua Russaw has proven to be a strong, early down option against the run but still needs to come a considerable way as a pass-rusher. Behind him, there’s limited game experience with players like Yhonzae Pierre, Noah Carter and Jayshawn Ross. Perhaps someone will emerge in the spring, but for now, this is arguably the highest priority.
Safety: Smith’s departure was the most consequential of any for Alabama as he was a starter in 2024 in the slot and would’ve been in 2025. There are still some good pieces behind him in DaShawn Jones and Red Morgan, but the safety position could use some more experience. The front-line starters seem strong: Sabb, Bray Hubbard and Jones/Morgan, but there’s a considerable gap in depth. A versatile defensive back with some game experience would be a nice addition.
Offensive/defensive line: The defensive line is going to be hit hard. James Smith is an exciting young player, and adding Collins helps, but this group could use an impactful player if one emerges from a Playoff roster or in the spring portal window. The interior of the offensive line was addressed with the addition of Dewberry. It would be nice to add another tackle who can provide some competition.
(Top photo of Kalen DeBoer: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
