Alabama rolls the dice and is fully embracing using the aim to upgrade its roster with proven, productive players and to let 19 or more players walk. And being taken apart by Indiana built through smart portal acquisitions and watching Miami, Oregon, and Ole Miss also use the portal to build teams that are in the final four, Bama has embraced the need to upgrade the roster in key spots through the portal. Will it work? Will Bama make smart additions to the roster? And then can DeBoer and his staff coach up into a cohesive unit on both sides of the ball and on special teams to allow the 2026 team to get back into the playoffs and make a run for a natty? 19 players from Bama have entered the portal and are all likely to leave, and Bama has signed 5 players so far from the portal. The 2025 roster was not good enough and the clear intent is to upgrade the roster with proven, productive and experience college players at key positions such as running back, offensive line, defensive line, and Linebacker. Bama would also take a proven WR such as say Cam Coleman or a high-level defensive back or two. Bama has signed 5 players to date and at least four of them are likely to be starters for 2026. Bama wants to add proven, productive players, not just talented, but unproven players. Incoming Transfers (5) Player Name Position Height / Weight Status From To Caleb Woodson LB 6-3 / 230 Enrolled Virginia Tech Alabama Kaden Strayhorn IOL 6-2 / 308 Enrolled Michigan Alabama Hollywood Smothers RB 5-11 / 195 Enrolled NC State Alabama Devan Thompkins DL 6-5 / 290 Enrolled USC Alabama Josh Ford TE 6-6 / 265 Enrolled Oklahoma State Alabama Outgoing Transfers (19) Player Name Position Height / Weight Status From To Isaiah Horton Arkel Anugwom OT 6-6 / 328 — Alabama — Kelby Collins DL 6-4 / 275 — Alabama — James Smith DL 6-3 / 297 — Alabama — Qua Russaw Edge 6-2 / 243 — Alabama — Cam Calhoun CB 6-0 / 180 — Alabama — Keon Keeley Edge 6-5 / 282 — Alabama — Wilkin Formby OT 6-7 / 324 Committed Alabama Texas A&M Cole Adams WR 5-10 / 183 — Alabama — Micah DeBose OT 6-5 / 319 — Alabama — Peter Notaro K 5-11 / 188 — Alabama — Noah Carter Edge 6-4 / 243 — Alabama — Olaus Alinen OT 6-6 / 322 Committed Alabama Kentucky Jalen Hale WR 6-1 / 197 — Alabama — Joseph Ionata IOL 6-5 / 306 Committed Alabama Georgia Tech Jaylen Mbakwe WR 5-11 / 190 Committed Alabama Georgia Tech Richard Young RB 5-11 / 212 — Alabama — Roq Montgomery IOL 6-3 / 330 — Alabama — Kameron Howard S 5-11 / 195 Committed Alabama Boston College Aeryn Hampton WR 5-10 / 195 — Alabama — Targets – O-line, D-line, and Linebackers • Wide Receiver: Cam Coleman (Auburn) is a primary target to bolster the wide receiver room after losing several players to the portal and NFL draft. • Offensive Line: Alabama is overhauling its offensive line and is targeting multiple players, including Brock Riker (Texas State), Jimothy Lewis (Mississippi State), Jacarrius Peak (NC State), and DJ Chester (LSU). They have already landed Kaden Strayhorn from Michigan. • Defensive Line/EDGE: To compensate for significant losses on the defensive front, the Tide is pursuing Malik Blockton (Auburn), Jordan Ross (Tennessee), and Cody Sigler (Arkansas State). They recently secured a commitment from Devan Thompkins (USC). • Punter: The team has also contacted punter Adam Watford (North Alabama). Alabama has been actively recruiting players and has had several on-campus visits since the transfer portal opened on January 2, 2026. •