Alabama Football: A new Portal move as Tide edges closer to roster cap

As it has for over a decade Alabama Football has a roster problem. It has, as is normal for this period in the offseason, too many scholarship players. Actually, the Tide’s problem will be triggered when the summer enrollees join the team.

Alabama football fans maintain two somewhat contradictory perspectives on Crimson Tide roster problems. One is they know Nick Saban will always make the numbers work. While Saban is handling that task, Tide fans still want up-to-date information on every move.

A quick summary is the Alabama Football roster may have a total of 87 scholarship players for the 2021 season. There will come a day this summer, likely not until August, when Nick Saban will have made his final season roster adjustment.

The Crimson Tide gets to be two over the standard 85-man limit because seniors Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Owens exercised the NCAA-allowed and COVID-driven, extra season option.

Alabama Football 2021 Roster Changes

• Now former Crimson Tide players transferred via the Portal: Ben Davis (Texas); Ale Kaho (UCLA); Kevin Harris (Georgia Tech); Joseph Bulovas (Vanderbilt); Eddie Smith (Illinois). Months ago, Ishmael Sopsher decided to transfer and joined USC for the 2021 season.
• Currently in the Portal is Ronald Williams and the newest Tide transfer, Brandon Turnage.
• Though no details have been made available, Michael Parker and Jarez Parks are reported to no longer be on the Tide roster.
• The exact list of kickers is unclear. but only one, Will Reichard is believed to be on scholarship.
• Ohio State wide receiver, Jameson Williams will officially transfer to the Crimson Tide soon.

Adding in the 13 summer enrollees, the scholarship count is at 90. That is three over the limit. Most Alabama football insiders believe Nick Saban will make room for two more players. They are J.T. Tulmoloau and the transferring-out Tennessee Vol, Henry To’o To’o.

Nick Saban cannot pass on Tulmoloau if he makes a summer decision to join the Crimson Tide. Among Alabama football fans there are mixed opinions on To’o To’o being a critical roster ingredient. Given the late-blooming Jaylen Moody’s performance, the former Vol may not be needed.

Numbers are sufficient in every position group on the 2021 roster. With the exits by Willaims and Turnage, the secondary, while deep, is short on players with defensive backfield, game experience.

With the Transfer Portal and one-time, immediate transfers, roster situations are fluid for all teams. Despite the volatility, the Crimson Tide roster continues to get stronger.