Alabama football has seen a flurry of transfer portal activity over the past week. While the portal is now officially closed until after spring practice, Bama saw plenty of last-minute activity.
Wide receiver Tyler Harrell and linebacker Demouy Kennedy both beat the deadline, entering the portal just days before it closed.
Harrell transferred to Alabama from Louisville in the 2022 offseason, but injuries derailed his season. Even after returning to full health, he was never able to crack the lineup or even the rotation. Harrell finished the 2022 season with two catches for 18 yards before re-entering the portal.
Demouy Kennedy also dealt with injury issues during his time at Alabama. He came to Tuscaloosa as a 4-star recruit in the 2020 class. He was ranked as the no. 39 overall player and the no. 3 inside linebacker in the cycle.
Kennedy was never able to match that potential at Bama, but was a versatile reserve linebacker and a special teams ace. He also served as an emergency running back when Alabama got dangerously thin at the position late in the 2021 season.
Unfortunately, Demouy Kennedy suffered a season-ending ACL injury just five games into the 2022 campaign, and chose to enter the portal following the season.
Alabama Football: On the bright side…
Alabama was able to quickly replace Kennedy’s vacated spot in the linebacker room, landing transfer Trezmen Marshall from Georgia just two days later. Marshall was a 4-star recruit in the class of 2019, and has seen action in four seasons as a reserve linebacker for the Bulldogs.
The inside linebacker room for Alabama football will already feature plenty of competition. Deontae Lawson figures to take the torch as the next great one, but will have to earn his spot.
JUCO transfer Justin Jefferson, junior Kendrick Blackshire, and sophomore Jihaad Campbell will also compete amongst others to earn starting roles. Marshall will enter his name into that competition upon arriving on campus.
Trezmen Marshall is the second transfer portal commitment of the cycle for Alabama football, joining former Maryland tight end CJ Dippre.
As is the case most years, the Crimson Tide appear content to carefully and selectively take transfers.