It's a total offensive line overhaul in Tuscaloosa.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Alabama starting tackle/guard Wilkin Formby will enter the Transfer Portal. Formby becomes the fifth offensive lineman from the 2025 roster to enter the portal since it opened on January 2nd.
Source: Alabama starting RT Wilkin Formby is entering the NCAA transfer portal. He started 14 games this year for the Tide this year and started two games at right tackle in 2024. He brings 1,070 snaps over 27 games. pic.twitter.com/s09H9MnSvq
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 4, 2026
Alabama loses starter Wilkin Formby to the Transfer Portal
Formby joins Roq Montgomery, Olaus Alinen, Joseph Ionata, and Micah DeBose as offensive linemen to jump in the portal. After back-to-back years of subpar play up front, Kalen DeBoer appears to be completely overhauling that room.
It's hard to blame him. Alabama was one of the worst teams in the country in running the football, and QB Ty Simpson was under constant harassment. If the Crimson Tide wants to take the next step toward being a legitimate National Championship contender, a major step forward is needed on the offensive line.
Formby started all 14 games for Alabama this season. He began the year as the starting right tackle, but ultimately transitioned to right guard with the emergence of freshman Michael Carroll at right tackle. Formby stated after the Rose Bowl that his preference was to play tackle, but inconsistent play over the two years he played a lot of snaps at the position made that something DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, and the rest of the coaching staff weren't comfortable with.
Formby struggled at tackle, but had seemingly turned into a pretty solid guard. He becomes the first starter on offense or defense to enter the portal.
As things stand, Alabama may only return one starter on the offensive line next season, and that's Carroll. Kadyn Proctor is almost certainly going to declare for the draft, while Parker Brailsford is weighing whether or not to do the same. Kam Dewberry, Geno VanDeMark, and Jaeden Roberts have all exhausted their eligibility.
In the past, a complete overhaul of the offensive line would have been worrisome heading into the next season. But things are much different in the Transfer Portal era.
DeBoer is ready to roll with his guys up front. The blend between the Saban era guys and his guys, particularly on the offensive line, led to unfortunate results the last two seasons. DeBoer needs to get the guys he knows can run the scheme he wants to run. No more making the best of what he's got. The resources are there for Alabama to get the correct guys for his system.
You can keep up with all of Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.