It was a busy weekend for Alabama, with big wins for basketball and a whole lot of activity in the Transfer Portal for football. Let's recap.
Alabama football Transfer Portal update
You can stay up to date with all the Transfer Portal comings and goings for Alabama by following this link.
Alabama has seen 16 players depart via the Transfer Portal so far. The majority of which have been backups that won't be difficult to replace. But the Crimson Tide has seen a few contributors hit the portal who are less than ideal losses.
Redshirt freshman Wolf LB Noah Carter was the first one to sting a little. He entered the portal on Friday. Carter's numbers don't jump off the page, but he had worked himself into the rotation at his position. Unfortunately, barring something unforeseen, there wasn't much of a chance of an increase in playing time next year for him in Tuscaloosa.
Redshirt sophomore WR Cole Adams entered over the weekend. He didn't see much playing time at WR, but was Alabama's reliable starting punt returner.
The first (and only so far) starter to enter the portal came on Sunday with redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Wilkin Formby. Formby started all 14 games for the Crimson Tide in 2025 between right tackle and right guard, but seemed to have found a home at right guard for Alabama. He wants to play tackle, however, which has led him to the portal, as that opportunity wasn't likely to happen for him in Tuscaloosa.
Former 5-star recruit Keon Keeley also entered the portal on Sunday, but Alabama isn't going down without a fight for Keeley. There are re-recruitment efforts happening there, but there are no guarantees they will work out. Keeley had begun to emerge down the stretch for the Crimson Tide and figured to have a real opportunity to start at Bandit next season with LT Overton moving on to the NFL. But with only two years of eligibility left, Keeley needs as many guaranteed reps as he can get, which might force him to seek other options.
WR Rico Scott is a guy most fans would have hoped to keep, but it's hard to blame him for leaving, either. Scott came into the season as the team's WR4, but was passed on the depth chart by true freshman Lotzeir Brooks. He wasn't likely to see much of a depth chart jump next season. He's a talented player who should find a starting role somewhere. Scott is the fifth receiver to enter the portal for Alabama.
Alabama turning up the heat on portal targets
The thing about the portal is that it is a swinging door that opens both ways. And while the losses are always tough to stomach early on, the additions are coming soon.
An overhaul of the offensive line appears to be underway. With five offensive linemen entering the portal, Kalen DeBoer and company will be busy looking for upgrades. Mississippi State's Jimothy Lewis and Michigan's Kayden Strayhorn are confirmed visitors this week, and Alabama has been in contact with Texas State's Brock Riker and NC State's Jacarrius Peak.
Running back is another position in which Alabama is looking for a difference-maker. NC State's Hollywood Smothers was on campus on Sunday for a visit, and the Crimson Tide is also set to host Arizona State's Raleek Brown on Tuesday. Both would be major upgrades to the RB room next season.
Defensive players like DL Devan Thompkins (USC) and LB Caleb Woodson (Virginia Tech) are also set to visit, while all eyes will continue to be on Auburn WR Cam Coleman, who is expected to visit sometime this week if he can resist the temptation of oil money in Texas.
Men's basketball rolls past Kentucky
Alabama opened SEC play on Saturday by rolling past Kentucky 89-74 despite dealing with several injuries.
Alabama was without forward Taylor Bol Bowen, and then starting center Aiden Sherrell suffered a knee injury in the first half and didn't return. Buoyed by 26 points from Aden Holloway and a stunning effort from Noah Williamson, Alabama was able to keep Kentucky at bay.
Nate Oats moved to 4-0 against Mark Pope at Kentucky. Alabama will now go on the road to battle undefeated Vanderbilt in Nashville on Wednesday in a massive early conference game.
Women's basketball blows out Arkansas
Bouncing back from a tough road loss to South Carolina, Kristy Curry's team came back home and routed Arkansas on Sunday to move to 1-1 in SEC play and 15-1 overall on the season.
Alabama broke out to a 20-point lead by halftime and was on cruise control in the second half on the way to a 77-48 win over the Razorbacks. Ta'mia Scott (16 points) and Essence Cody (15 points) led the way for the Crimson Tide.
Curry will lead her team back on the court on Thursday at home against No. 11 Kentucky.