USC transfer defensive lineman Devan Thompkins is one of the most sought-after names in the Transfer Portal so far. He was an early name to keep an eye on for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama, and according to Hayes Fawcett, the Crimson Tide is in serious contention for the rising senior.
Fawcett reported on Friday, during the first day of the official opening of the Transfer Portal, that Thompkins had already narrowed his list to five schools: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Clemson, and Ohio State. Fawcett also reported that Thompkins was working on finalizing an official visit to Tuscaloosa:
NEWS: USC transfer DL Devan Thompkins tells @On3Sports these 5 Schools are standing out to him as transfer destinations⁰⁰He’s ranked as the No. 2 DL in the On3 Portal Rankings
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 2, 2026
Thompkins is currently in the process of locking in a visit to Alabamahttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/xGJTZfSVob
Saturday Blitz lists Thompkins as the No. 8 defensive lineman currently in the portal. At 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, Thompkins is the type of big, strong, and athletic interior presence the Crimson Tide needs to add up front.
USC transfer DL Devan Thompkins would be a nice addition for Alabama
Starting nose tackle Tim Keenan is out of eligibility and won't be easily replaced. But Keenan was not necessarily a fit for the scheme Kane Wommack prefers to run.
Getting stronger and more athletic up front is a necessity for Alabama. The Crimson Tide got bullied by Indiana in the Rose Bowl, allowing over 200 rushing yards in a humiliating 38-3 loss to the Hoosiers.
Alabama getting outmanned in the trenches is not something fans are used to seeing, but it has been all too common an occurrence the last two seasons.
There's talent for DeBoer, Wommack, and DL coach Freddie Roach to work with currently on campus and on the way in the highly-regarded 2026 recruiting class, but more is needed. Freshman London Simmons showed a lot of promise on the inside, and Alabama hopes to get James Smith back for another season.
At Bandit, even with LT Overton moving on, there's hope for the future in that room with Keon Keeley and Jordan Renaud showing promise in Overton's absence.
But you can never have enough depth up front, and an injection of outside talent and competition is a must at several positions this offseason. Alabama needs to get back to being able to physically impose its will on its opponent, and Thompkins is the type of guy who can help them do that.