It's no secret that Alabama is in desperate need of offensive linemen in the Transfer Portal. With two starters foregoing their final season of eligibility for the NFL Draft (Parker Brailsford, Kadyn Proctor), several veterans running out of eligibility (Geno VanDeMark, Kam Dewberry, Jaeden Roberts), and a starter (Wilkin Formby) and several depth pieces hitting the portal (Joseph Ionata, Olaus Alinen, Roq Montgomery, Arkel Anugwom, Micah DeBose), Alabama has a serious need for not only starting quality players on the market, but also depth.
Alabama has already landed Michigan transfer Kaden Strayhorn, who committed to the Tide earlier this week. But a lot more is needed.
The biggest target on the Alabama board - and for many others - was NC State LT Jacarrius Peak, who was an honorable-mention All-ACC team member this season. Peak was originally scheduled to make the trip to Tuscaloosa on Thursday. That visit won't happen.
Peak committed to South Carolina while on his visit there, leaving Kalen DeBoer and the Tide's coaching staff to go back to the drawing board
It's a frustrating miss for the staff and fans. But Thursday night also brought a reminder of one thing: the Transfer Portal ain't closed yet. Players across the country still have a week to enter before it closes. There are still a lot of additions to the portal to come. And a lot of work to be done.
Shortly before Peak's commitment, a familiar name entered the Transfer Portal. And it's one that will likely have interest in the Crimson Tide.
Former Alabama commitment Ty Haywood entered the Transfer Portal
Michigan blue-chip freshman offensive tackle Ty Haywood is entering the transfer portal, his agency @TeamIFA tells @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 8, 2026
The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder, who is repped by @blakebaratz, ranked as one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2025 recruiting class. pic.twitter.com/DDTb8Du86c
If you follow recruiting, you'll remember this name. Ty Haywood was a massive win on the recruiting trail for DeBoer and his staff during the summer of 2024. He was one of the biggest names in the Tide's 2025 recruiting class, joining 5-star Michael Carroll and 4-star Jackson Lloyd in giving the Crimson Tide the best OL class in the country.
But Haywood ultimately didn't sign with Alabama, flipping his commitment to Michigan and ending up in Ann Arbor, where he spent his freshman season. But after a coaching change, Haywood is in the portal and could end up at the place he committed to originally.
Haywood saw limited action during his freshman season at Michigan. He redshirted, meaning he still has four years of eligibility left. He was a guy this staff liked quite a bit, and one they would be smart to circle back on now that he's available again.
Alabama has other players they are interested in on the offensive line. Mississippi State's Jimothy Lewis visited recently, and Alabama sits in a good spot for him. LSU's DJ Chester is visiting, too. The Tide hopes to land a visit from Texas State's Brock Riker, too.
There are plenty of options available. None has Peak's pedigree and experience. But Haywood, in particular, is a guy with a ton of talent who could provide immediate depth and even push for a starting gig.
You can follow along with all of Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.