It was a very inactive offseason for Alabama Football in terms of utilizing the Transfer Portal. Alabama football only brought in five players via the transfer portal while 21 players exited the program. Since the shift in transfer rules Alabama has been relatively inactive in the transfer portal bringing in 14 players through three years. Despite being inactive the Crimson Tide have brought in productive players landing first-round talent the past two seasons in Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs. So how have the five transfers that entered the Alabama football program panned out through the first half of the season?
Tyler Buchner – Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback
Landing Tyler Buchner three days after “A Day” was a massive red flag for the state of the quarterback room which was shown as the starting quarterback role wasn’t decided until after the USF Game. So far, I’d say that Tyler Buchner has been a disappointment but, will have a chance down the line to earn a role within the team. Tyler Buchner was the starting Quarterback in week 3 versus USF and did not perform when given the opportunity. On the season Buchner is 8-19 passing for 61 yards with 20 yards rushing and a rushing TD in two appearances. Buchner had a leg up on Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson having experience in Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees system at Notre Dame and should have had a great chance to earn the starting job.
Trezmen Marshall – Redshirt Junior Linebacker
Trezmen Marshall was a massive get for the Crimson Tide rated the fourth-best linebacker in the transfer portal transferring in from Georgia. Alabama had to replace inside linebackers Henry To’oTo’o and Jaylen Moody who left the Capstone for the NFL. Trezman Marshall has slotted alongside Deontae Lawson starting at inside linebacker and has played nicely as the seasons progressed. Marshall ranks second on the team with 40 tackles adding 2.5 sacks. The best Marshall has looked is blitzing up the middle in Kevin Steele’s defense, getting explosive rushes leading to 2.5 sacks and stops in the run game. Marshall plays his best going downfield as his speed flashes while he’s had trouble in coverage with the biggest example being the fourth and 23 conversion he allowed versus Ole Miss. Overall, Trezmen Marshall has been a fantastic addition to the defense, and he’ll be needed as Alabama plays Tennessee and LSU two teams that have explosive passing attacks.
CJ Dippre – Junior Tight End
CJ Dippre joined Alabama after two seasons at Maryland becoming the team’s starting tight end last season catching 30 passes for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns. Through Week 6 Dippre is 5th on the team with 104 yards and 7th with 5 catches. Dippre has been hard to evaluate through six games as the offense hasn’t been particularly great at passing. Sophomore Amari Niblack has been the team’s best tight end receiving-wise as he’s seemed to gel well with Jalen Milroe. Dippre has been a more impactful blocker than Niblack, which has been helpful with an offensive line that is still developing. Down the stretch, I’d love to see more of CJ Dippre as he showed flashes of impressive athleticism this season as well as last year at Maryland.
Jaylen Key – Redshirt Senior Safety
Safety was another position Nick Saban was tasked with replacing multiple starters as Jordan Battle and Demarcco Hellams left for the NFL. The talent in the Safety group was relatively inexperienced so landing a player who had multiple years of starting experience was important not only for finding a starter but, also in helping develop Caleb Downs and Jake Pope two highly touted freshmen. Jaylen Key has played as expected, he ranks third on the team with 38 tackles along with an interception. I’d say both Jaylen Key and the coaching staff have to be happy with the results through 6 games. Jaylen Key has brought excitement by getting the team’s first interception of the season and laying the hammer over the middle this past weekend on Arkansas WR Isaac TeSlaa.
Trey Amos – Senior Cornerback
Cornerback was surprisingly deep when the team ended the season returning Kool-Aid Mckinstry, Terrion Arnold, Malachi Moore, and Devonta Smith returning. You can never have too many versatile defensive backs though, so the team brought in Trey Amos who was highly sought after by many teams in the SEC. Trey Amos has been serviceable as a 3rd to 4th cornerback in the defense after a slow start to the year. Trey Amos has played a crucial role and will continue to as the Tide awaits Malachi Moore to return to full health. With the upcoming games on the schedule being explosive passing offenses in LSU and Tennessee Trey Amos will have every opportunity to make his presence felt.
Alabama Football: Replacing Starters with ready to play Talent.
While Nick Saban and the Alabama Football program haven’t brought in hordes of players like programs across the country have, they’ve replaced key starters with ready to play top tier talent and have found success doing so. After losing Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith the 2021 team added Jameson Williams who blossomed in the role. They lost Brian Robinson Jr. the following year and were able to replace him with Jahmyr Gibbs who went on to finish second-team All-SEC.
While there isn’t the top tier talent we’ve seen in past years with Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Eli Ricks, Jermaine Burton, and Henry To’oTo’o the entire group has played pretty key roles. The additions of Marshall and Amos have been significant, especially with the injuries to Malachi Moore and Deontae Lawson. CJ Dippre and Jaylen Key have played underrated roles on their respective sides of the ball while showing growth in their own game as well. Tyler Buchner hasn’t delivered the on-field results that he or the staff hoped for but, adding a quarterback to the QB room who had familiarity with Tommy Rees system was likely vital in the development of Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe.
Stats and Player rankings Via ESPN.com and 247Sports.com