When Nick Saban left the NFL for Alabama Football, he could have never believed how difficult college football roster management would become. As has long been the norm in his career, Nick Saban mastered the challenge.
The annual task has become harder with the transfer rules allowing college football to have a free agency system less constrained than the NFL.
Like every other coach, Nick Saban is learning to play by new rules, or maybe better stated, almost no rules.
Entries into the Transfer Portal took place over many months. In the end, 18 former Crimson Tide players entered the Portal. All but one moved on to a new team (a full list can be seen below). The one player not moving to a new team is Ty Perine who is believed to have decided to give up football.
Adding to the Crimson Tide exits were seven players selected in the NFL Draft. Four more former Alabama players signed undrafted free agent contracts. So far, Chris Owens and Daniel Wright have not been picked up by an NFL team.
Countering the 31 player exits, Nick Saban added 23 freshmen and six incoming transfers. The current scholarship count is 87 players, two over the NCAA limit. Yes, the NCAA does still have some rules and the 85-scholarship limit remains a firm one.
But there is plenty of time. Nick Saban has until August to finalize the roster.
The current 87, breakdown by class is (14) Seniors, including two Super Seniors; (17) Juniors; (20) Sophomores; (13) Redshirt Freshmen and (23) True Freshmen.
Unless Nick Saban surprises with another transfer addition, there will be only two more subtractions. In the end, Alabama football will have completed another roster rebuild that strengthens the Crimson Tide.
Except for Ty Perine, the exiting players also gain value in their football careers. Most will be starters for their new teams. While they did not accomplish as much as they hoped in Tuscaloosa, they benefitted from the Alabama football development program.
Former Alabama Football Players and New Teams
- Marcus Banks – Mississippi State
- Drew Sanders – Arkansas
- King Mwikuta – Arkansas State
- Jackson Bratton – UAB
- Pierce Quick – Georgia Tech
- Paul Tyson – Arizona State
- Xavier Williams – Utah State
- Jahleel Billingsley – Texas
- Agiye Hall – Texas
- Shane Lee – Southern Cal
- Tommy Brown – Colorado
- Javon Baker – Central Florida
- Camar Wheaton – Southern Methodist
- Caden Clark – Akron
- Stephon Wynn Jr. – Nebraska
- Kaine Williams – Nebraska
- Dayne Shor – U Conn
Crimson Tide fans will get another chance to see Xavier Williams play in Bryant-Denny in the season opener with Utah State.