Alabama cannot afford a repeat of its 2025 Transfer Portal haul during this cycle. Kalen DeBoer and GM Courtney Morgan have preferred to continue recruiting through the high school ranks while supplementing through the portal. Unfortunately, that appears to be a losing strategy in today's college football world.
Alabama's high school recruiting has been strong, and that should continue. But a bigger focus on the portal is needed moving forward. Alabama has to open up the checkbook and get some immediate difference-makers.
They've shown more of a willingness to do that in the early goings of the 2026 portal cycle than a year ago. That's evidenced by the signing of elite NC State RB transfer Hollywood Smothers, who should step in as a day-one starter for the Crimson Tide in the backfield.
Alabama's 2025 haul was nearly a complete bust. One that cannot be repeated.
Alabama signed only seven players out of the portal a year ago. Only three of those players made any kind of impact this season: WR Isaiah Horton, OG Kam Dewberry, and LB Nikhai Hill-Green. Horton and Dewberry were both starters, while Hill-Green was a rotational piece at LB that played a big role over the second-half of the season.
Of Alabama's four other signees, CB Cam Calhoun and DL Kelby Collins are back in the Transfer Portal after barely playing in 2025. RB Dre Washington didn't make an impact in his final season of eligibility. And Ball State transfer OT Arkel Anugwom didn't play.
Alabama had more needs than they identified last offseason. That can't happen again.
Alabama off to a good start, but there's still a lot of work to be done in the portal
Alabama is off to a good start in identifying potential impact players in the Transfer Portal. Before it even officially opened, the Tide signed TE Josh Ford from Oklahoma State, the in-line tight end they were missing this year after Robbie Ouzts went pro. It was the first signal that DeBoer was serious about being able to runt he ball better in 2026.
Adding NC State's Hollywood Smothers, the leading rusher by yards per game in the ACC, was the next step.
Alabama added two impact players on Tuesday: Virginia Tech LB Caleb Woodson and Michigan IOL Kaden Strayhorn. Woodson gives Alabama a much-needed veteran presence at off-ball LB, while Strayhorn seems like a strong schematic fit on the offensive line who will immediately compete for one of the interior spots.
The number of players Alabama should be targeting even after the four additions is in the double digits. There's still a lot of depth needed on both lines of scrimmage. Alabama probably needs multiple WRs regardless of the draft decision made by Isaiah Horton.
Another edge rusher for the Wolf LB room became a priority following the departures of both Qua Russaw and Noah Carter. Another body or two for the secondary wouldn't hurt, either.
There's a lot of talent out there, and Alabama needs to be aggressive in its pursuit to bring more of it to Tuscaloosa. A repeat of last year's portal bust could lead to worse results on the field in 2026. And that might not be survivable for DeBoer in his third season.
You can follow along with Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.