The Transfer Portal window will open on January 2nd, which is really just around the corner. There are only two weekends left in the regular season, which means teams that aren't going to be in the College Football Playoff will begin to see players entering the portal. Though direct contact is not allowed, there are workarounds with agents, and you can bet those conversations are already happening.
Alabama GM Courtney Morgan is as forward-thinking as it comes, and you can also bet that he already has a plan for what the Crimson Tide will be looking to target in the portal. With the way Kalen DeBoer and company have recruited, talent at most positions isn't an issue, but Alabama has some obvious needs in the portal already, and that's before anyone in Tuscaloosa has officially announced an intention to leave. Which is coming. Roster attrition is unavoidable in the offseason.
DeBoer has established a strong culture in the locker room, but Alabama will lose some of its depth as players look for more playing time elsewhere. We can't really anticipate who will leave until they do, but with just the guys expected to leave early for the draft and the seniors on their way out, we know the Crimson Tide will be in the market for these positions already.
Alabama should be targeting these positions in the Transfer Portal
Off-ball Linebacker
The most obvious need for Alabama's 2026 roster is a veteran off-ball linebacker. Alabama will lose its top three at the position - Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green, all of whom are in their final seasons of eligibility.
There's talent in the room with second-year players like QB Reese and Luke Metz - and Alabama signed a four-man linebacker class - but there's a glaring lack of experience in the middle of the defense that DeBoer, Morgan, and the defensive coaching staff will look to remedy in the Transfer Portal.
One potential wrinkle is a move that not many have talked about, but seems like a potential game-changer for next season's defense.
If Yhonzae Pierre returns for his redshirt junior season, he's probably a preseason All-American at the Wolf LB spot on the edge for the Crimson Tide. There's a lot of talent in that room behind him, with young players like Justin Hill and Noah Carter who have flashed.
Perhaps Alabama could float the idea to Qua Russaw to move to an off-ball linebacker spot at either Mike or Sting. He could play a Jihaad Campbell-like role in Alabama's 2026 defense and would provide experience in the middle that the Tide looks to be lacking next season.
Russaw is a talented player and a capable edge rusher, but I can't help but think his long-term professional future would be better suited on the inside.
Offensive Tackle
Alabama could lose four of its season-opening starting five on the offensive line this offseason. Both Kam Dewberry and Geno VanDeMark will have exhausted their eligibility, and Kadyn Proctor and Parker Brailsford seem likely to enter the NFL Draft with a season of eligibility remaining.
Brailsford could return, but Proctor seems as good as gone. Alabama will also lose fifth-year senior guard Jaeden Roberts, who will have exhausted his eligibility, too.
Wilkin Formby seems to have recently found his home at offensive guard, and while Michael Carroll has flashed at right tackle, most expect his long-term future to be at guard. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him shift inside to left guard next season, though he could very well stay at tackle.
Freshman OT Jackson Lloyd seems to have a bright future, but Alabama has a need for a proven offensive tackle for next season. Someone who could anchor the left side of the offensive line while the young players continue to grow toward bigger roles.
Kicker
The preseason anxiety of Alabama fans surrounding the kicking game has proven to be fruitful. Redshirt sophomore Connor Talty has been inconsistent, connecting on just 11-of-17 field goal attempts. Four of his six misses have been from 40+, but he's also missed two inside 40.
His most consequential miss came last week, right before the half against Oklahoma, when he hooked one from 36 yards that would have tied the game. In a two-point loss, that missed kick proved important to the result.
More disappointing than the miss itself was Talty's reaction to the miss, immediately screaming at the long snapper on the field in front of everyone because of a high snap. Talty wasn't wrong, but the process isn't always going to be perfect. You have to step up and make the kick anyway. The holder got the snap down and in place for you to do your job. You didn't. That's nobody else's fault.
Talty's issues have proven to be mental, and not a lack of skill. That's worrisome, as there are no guarantees that that will change in another offseason. DeBoer and company would be wise to scour the portal to bring in some competition.