Most Alabama Crimson Tide fans are angered by Alabama being labelled a loser (at anything). At least in this instance, the Tennessee Vols were given the same disrespect. The negative assessment comes from Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg.
Bromberg picked the top five winners and the top five losers in the current Transfer Portal cycle. Given that more players will enter and many more will pick new teams after the entry deadline passes, any ranking is premature.
There is zero doubt that the Alabama Crimson Tide will add more transfers. Two likely starters would be preferred at offensive tackle and at the bandit position. The Crimson Tide needs at least two more wide receivers for depth. A plus would be an additional offensive lineman to provide more depth. Plenty of inexperienced talent returns at inside linebacker, but another veteran addition would be valuable.
Given the roster needs, the Crimson Tide should continue to rise in Team Transfer Rankings. No matter the source, transfer rankings are somewhat suspect since, by design, they measure known roster losses but cannot project the production of a transfer playing in a new system, with new coaches and teammates. Teams like Alabama and Georgia don't have 'Portal King' head coaches.
Alabama will likely set a team record this cycle for portal additions. In the 2024 cycle, the Crimson Tide added 14 transfers. The total for the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 transfer classes is 35. Many other teams match or surpass that number in one cycle.
Currently, Kalen DeBoer has added 13 transfers. One is a preferred walk-on and is not included in Portal Rankings. The Crimson Tide is ranked No. 57. In 2022, Alabama added five transfers and earned a No. 12 transfer ranking. In the three completed cycles since 2022, the Crimson Tide was ranked No. 66, No. 55, and No. 61. This cycle, Alabama will likely finish in the top 50, with minimal chances of being ranked much higher. For comparison, the Georgia Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 46.
Alabama Crimson Tide shuns 'Big Bag' Transfer Portal profile
The real burn felt by some Alabama football fans is that the Crimson Tide is not a major 'bag' program. It is believed that was the reason Cam Coleman went elsewhere and why transfer offensive tackle Jordan Seaton may get $3.5M or more, but it will not be from Alabama. As Clint Lamb explains, unless there is a major influx of cash AND a major change in roster-building philosophy, Alabama does not want to be known as a 'big bag' program.
Bromberg included the Alabama Crimson Tide among the top five transfer losers, along with Tennessee, Utah, Colorado, and Iowa State. His top five portal winners are Texas Tech, Texas, Indiana, Virginia Tech, and Louisville.