Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes as the Transfer Portal continues to heat up and the women's basketball team pulls off a significant upset victory.
Alabama suffers big portal loss, but could be on the verge of massive addition
Alabama saw its most surprising Transfer Portal departure to date when junior WR Isaiah Horton announced on Thursday that he would be entering. Many figured that if he left Alabama, it would be to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. Instead, Horton will spend his final season of eligibility elsewhere.
Horton arrived in Tuscaloosa from the portal via Miami. One of the big draws for him to the Crimson Tide was QB Ty Simpson and their preexisting relationship from the camp circuit as high schoolers. With Simpson going pro, Horton has decided to move on, too.
Horton was an Iron Bowl hero for the Crimson Tide this year, scoring three touchdowns, including what proved to be the game-winner in the fourth quarter.
His departure stings, but could be a signal of a massive addition to come.
Auburn transfer Cam Coleman, the No. 1 WR in the portal, is scheduled to begin his visit to Alabama on Friday. Coleman took a tour through the big-money Texas schools already, visiting Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, but the fact that he departed without committing gives the Crimson Tide a realistic chance to land him.
Coleman to Alabama always felt like a pipe dream, but it's starting to look like a real possibility.
New Transfer Portal targets to monitor
Alabama is still on the prowl for several offensive linemen. Unfortunately, they won't get a chance to pitch one of the top guys in the portal. NC State's Jacarrius Peak committed to South Carolina on his visit there before he could make it to Tuscaloosa.
But Alabama has other options up front. Mississippi State's Jimothy Lewis, LSU's DJ Chester, and Texas State's Brock Riker have been on the radar. Lewis and Chester have both visited, while many teams are working to bring in Riker. Alabama could also get involved with former commit Ty Haywood, who is leaving Michigan after one season.
Alabama also recently extended offers to a couple of under-the-radar FCS players: 6-foot-4 CB Carmelo O'Neal from Mercer and speedy UTRGV WR Tony Diaz.
Kristy Curry leads Alabama women's basketball to upset of Kentucky
Contrary to Nate Oats' scheduling philosophy, Kristy Curry doesn't put her team through the gauntlet in the non-conference. So despite the fact that the Alabama women's basketball team went 14-0 through its non-conference slate, it was hard to tell the quality of the team and whether they could compete with the upper-echelon in the SEC.
A 26-point loss to South Carolina a week ago seemed to confirm they couldn't. But Alabama bounced back with a blowout of Arkansas on Sunday, and then scored a massive win on Thursday over No. 6 Kentucky, 64-51.
Jessica Timmons led the way with 24 points to help Alabama earn the upset victory.
It's hard not to be impressed with the coaching job Curry has done this season after losing so much from last season's team. She has her team in good shape for a fourth straight NCAA Tournament bid, and maybe this is the team that can finally break through to the second weekend.