Alabama lost 22 players to the Transfer Portal this past offseason as Kalen DeBoer finished a roster flip that has now made the Crimson Tide completely in his own image. While Alabama made some impactful additions to replace the players lost, quite a few of the departures are expected to play significant roles on their new teams in 2026.
10 of the 22 are currently projected as starters, and that doesn't include James Smith or Qua Russaw at Ohio State. In the latest depth chart projections for the Buckeyes, both are listed as backups, though they should still see significant snaps.
It also doesn't include guys like Keon Keeley (Notre Dame) or Jordan Renaud (Ole Miss), who are also projected backups at their new schools like they were in Tuscaloosa.
These 10 Alabama transfers are projected starters at their new schools
The Georgia Tech trio: OL Joseph Ionata, DE Noah Carter, and CB Jaylen Mbakwe
Ioana, Carter, and Mbakwe are all projected starters for the Yellow Jackets. Ioanata is listed as the Jackets' starting RG. Ionata was destined for another backup role at Alabama, but he's forced his way up the depth chart in Atlanta.
Carter was a player Alabama would have preferred to keep, but the former 4-star recruit left and now projects as a major contributor for Georgia Tech.
Mbakwe made the wise decision to move back to cornerback after a lost season at WR, and he's immediately a starter at CB. Mbakwe saw significant playing time at corner for Alabama as a freshman before making the decision to move to offense in 2025. He played sparingly as a sophomore and then decided to transfer.
A Texas A&M duo: OT Wilkin Formby and WR Isaiah Horton
Alabama fans weren't sad to see Formby go. DeBoer and Grubb wanted him to return, but preferred his future to be at guard, not tackle. Formby wanted to continue playing tackle, so he entered the portal and found a landing spot in College Station. He'll be Texas A&M's starter at right tackle.
Another player Alabama preferred to keep was Isaiah Horton. The Iron Bowl hero departed after Ty Simpson declared for the draft, and he landed with the Aggies, too. He'll be a starting WR for Mike Elko's team.
WR Bubba Hampton
Hampton joined former Tide WR coach JaMarcus Shephard in Corvallis. Shephard is entering his first season as Oregon State's head coach, and Hampton has made a big impression already. He's listed as a starter at WR after being buried on the Crimson Tide's depth chart.
WR Jalen Hale
Hale looked to be on the path to stardom at Alabama after making a quick impact as a freshman, but a devastating knee injury cost him all of 2024 and then kept him limited throughout 2025. He's fully healthy now, and he's got an opportunity at SMU to make a significant impact catching passes from Kevin Jennings.
Hale is projected as a starter for the Mustangs this fall.
OL Olaus Alinen
Alinen has earned a starting role for Kentucky at right guard. Alabama will see its former reserve offensive lineman in Week 2 in Lexington.
OL Roq Montgomery
Montgomery was buried on the depth chart at Alabama, but now projects as a starter after dropping down to the Group-of-Six ranks at Western Kentucky.
LS David Bird
Alabama wanted to make a change at long snapper after some inconsistency from David Bird a year ago; one such occasion led to public vitriol from Tide kicker Conor Talty. Bird transferred back to Cal, where he's projected to be their snapper in 2026.
Both Cole Adams and Micah DeBose were expected starters at Vanderbilt this fall, but the official Commodores depth chart for Week 1 listed each as a backup.
RB Richard Young appears to be buried on the Colorado depth chart just like he was at Alabama.
Other former Alabama players could earn roles as the season progresses, but this is where things stand with Week 1 right around the corner.
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