There's been plenty of anxiety and even disappointment permeating through the Alabama fanbase with how this offseason has gone for the Crimson Tide. It was never going to be an easy transition with losing pivotal players like Mark Sears and Grant Nelson, who exhausted their eligibility.
Alabama took some hits in the Transfer Portal, too. Losing Mo Dioubate, especially to SEC rival Kentucky, was the biggest blow. Jarin Stevenson and Derrion Reid were both solid depth pieces that would have helped out in 2025-26. Naas Cunningham was a project, and his decision to leave was best for both parties.
But Oats and lead assistant Preston Murphy haven't been sitting idly by, either. They have brought talent into Tuscaloosa. Alabama quickly landed the Patriot League Player of the Year in Noah Williamson, the kind of big-bodied center they needed.
They also landed a pair of talented players from the ACC in Florida State's Taylor Bol Bowen and Miami's Jalil Bethea. Bowen figures to be a perfect, versatile stretch-four for Oats. Bethea is a former 5-star recruit and a Top 10 player in his recruiting class who struggled during his freshman season with the Hurricanes. It was a tumultuous year for that entire roster in Coral Gables.
Most recently, Alabama landed the WAC Freshman of the Year in Tarleton State's Keitenn Bristow.
Oats and company have had some misses, too. Tuscaloosa native Adrian Wooley committing to Louisville without visiting Alabama was an early blow. Cedric Coward choosing Duke recently was, too. Rylan Griffen's decision was mutual between the team and player.
Some Tide fans would have you believe this roster is barren. But they've signed a good portal class to go along with another strong recruiting class. Alabama's incoming freshman class is being undersold. Oats signed three players in the Top 65. London Jemison and Davion Hannah should be able to provide early minutes right away.
And according to Busting Brackets, Alabama's Transfer Portal class ranks No. 16 in the country. And that's with the class still incomplete. The Tide has two roster spots open that could still be filled by portal players, causing that ranking to jump up further.
Where Alabama may turn to fill out the roster
Nate Oats would love for one of the final two roster spots to go to Labaron Philon. Philon was excellent in his freshman season with the Crimson Tide, but is going through the NBA Draft process. He's a projected 1st Round pick who could work his way into the lottery during the NBA Combine, which runs from May 11-18.
The deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA Draft and maintain collegiate eligibility is May 28th.
There are several talented players going through the draft process right now who are also in the Transfer Portal. Guys like St. John's RJ Luis, Texas Tech's Darrion Williams, and Florida State's Jamir Watkins, to name a few. Those guys could all be in play if they choose to withdraw from the draft. They won't come cheap, but nobody worth having does anymore.
Alabama could also pursue a player who decides to reclass from the 2026 class to 2025. That's purely speculative at this point in time, but Oats has gone down that path multiple times.
There are still some twists and turns left in the offseason. Alabama will add another talented player to this roster before all is said and done. It'll just require some more patience.