Alabama Football: After Shavers decision, who can the Tide afford to lose

Alabama football could lose Tyrell Shavers to transfer. Who else can the Tide afford to lose?

Alabama football currently has four more players than it can carry on scholarship in 2020. That number will be reduced to three if Tyrell Shavers finds a new team through the transfer portal. Shaver entering the portal on Tuesday was a surprise. He was expected to compete for a starting job in a unit needing to replace Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs.

From an output perspective, Shavers’ numbers will not be missed. He was credited with one rush and one pass reception last season, totaling only 34 yards. In fairness to Shavers, in two years of play for the Tide, his game action has been mainly restricted to special teams. Having redshirted in 2017, Shavers can move to another team with two years of eligibility.

There is ample depth in the wide receiver unit to absorb a Shavers departure. John Metchie, Slade Bolden and Xavier Williams are all expected to have bigger roles in 2020. Shavers might not have started over Metchie. Chadarius Townsend may be at wide receiver again, especially with a loaded running back roster. Javon Baker, Thaiu Jones-Bell and Traeshon Holden have a chance for key, two-deep roles in their freshmen seasons. An exit by Shavers would mean the remaining receiver roster needs to stay intact with little, future injury attrition.

To what team Shavers will relocate interests Crimson Tide fans. With Dabo’s loss of Justyn Ross for the season, Shavers might provide immediate help for the Tigers. Tyrell has some speed and his height is hard to defend. not to mention, Trevor Lawrence can make lots of receivers look good.

Assuming Shavers moves on, the Alabama football staff will need three more players to transfer. There are more than three players whose Crimson Tide careers must have, so far, disappointed them. All of the following guys have represented the University of Alabama well. Their bonds to teammates and the coaching staff might be too strong to sever. Still, a fresh start on a different roster might serve them best. They are redshirt senior, Ben Davis, junior, Skyler DeLong, junior, Jaylen Moody, redshirt sophomore, Stephon Wynn and redshirt sophomore, Michael Parker. A better chance for more playing time might interest redshirt sophomore, Eddie Smith and redshirt sophomore, Cameron Latu.

With the deep running back roster, even Brian Robinson might prefer being a feature back in another program. All reports indicate Robinson intends his senior season to be in Tuscaloosa.

From the outside, what is inside these player’s minds in not known. There is no sense the Alabama football staff wants to push them out. Nick Saban has regularly helped transferring players find the best fit elsewhere.