It doesn't come as a major surprise that Alabama won't have WR Isaiah Horton on its roster next season. But the path in which he is taking to leave the Crimson Tide is certainly a surprise.
Most believed he was likely to declare early for the NFL Draft after showing off his skills for one season in Tuscaloosa.
Instead, Horton is entering the Transfer Portal after one season at Alabama, per multiple reports:
BREAKING: Alabama WR Isaiah Horton plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, @Hayesfawcett3 reports. https://t.co/U31NaOwVgy pic.twitter.com/krI3Kyxr2T
— On3 (@On3sports) January 8, 2026
Isaiah Horton entering the Transfer Portal is another blow to the Alabama offense
Horton may have only produced 511 yards on the season, but he turned 42 receptions into eight touchdowns. He had a quick rapport with Ty Simpson, with whom he had a previous relationship on the camp circuit when they were both high school prospects in Tennessee.
Three of Horton's eight touchdowns came during Alabama's 27-20 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter on fourth down with the game knotted at 20. Horton is the second Iron Bowl hero WR to enter the portal in the last three years for Alabama, joining Isiah Bond of 4th-and-31 fame.
Horton's decision to leave Alabama could be due to Simpson's recent decision to enter the NFL Draft. The selling point of coming to Tuscaloosa was to join Simpson in the first place, along with playing for then-WR coach JaMarcus Shephard, who is now the head coach at Oregon State.
Perhaps it's a signal of good things to come in the Cam Coleman sweepstakes. The former Auburn WR is currently slated to be in Tuscaloosa sometime this weekend, and Alabama's need for an impact player at WR just grew significantly with Horton leaving. Alabama will replace two starters in the room now, with Germie Bernard being out of eligibility.
Horton is the fourth WR from Alabama's 2025 roster to enter the portal. Currently, the Crimson Tide is now down to just five WRs for next season: Ryan Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, Rico Scott, Derek Meadows, and incoming freshman Cederian Morgan.
Along with Coleman, Alabama is heavily involved with UT Rio-Grande Valley transfer Tony Diaz, who will also be in Tuscaloosa on a visit this weekend.
You can follow along with all of Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.