Alabama Football: Another Tide LB enters transfer portal
By Dakota Cox
Alabama football will lose another linebacker this offseason
Alabama football is used to losing players at the end of the season, but two linebackers have already entered the transfer portal. Senior Ben Davis entered earlier in February, and inside linebacker Ale Kaho joined him today.
Kaho was a 4-star inside linebacker coming out of high school, and many believed that he could be the future at that position. He signed with Washington but transferred to the Tide before stepping on the field for the Huskies.
While Ale Kaho had all sorts of talent, he never saw more than a special teams role for Alabama football. He only had one tackle for loss in 21 games of play, and he was buried on the depth chart behind other talented inside linebackers.
His sophomore season should have been a sign that his career with Alabama football was limited. When both starting linebackers went down before the season with injuries, he still lost the starting job to two freshmen. As a junior, he was still behind Jaylen Moody on the depth chart.
Unless there were multiple injuries, Kaho was undoubtedly going to be a reserve linebacker once again in 2021. While Alabama football fans are disappointed that he never panned out in Tuscaloosa, this move makes sense for him.
This could also open up a spot on the roster for another inside linebacker. Henry To’o To’o has been linked to the Tide since he entered the transfer portal out of Tennessee. He would instantly start in Tuscaloosa, which would have buried Kaho further on the depth chart.
Kaho still has two years of eligibility. He should find a quality team with a need at inside linebacker where he can start soon. He has the talent, but not every talented player works in Tuscaloosa. He could go to the Pac-12 or even to Texas and be very successful.
Alabama football has now lost upperclassmen at both inside and outside linebacker, but they still retain a young nucleus of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Fans wish Ale Kaho the best in his next steps as a collegiate athlete.