Alabama is preparing for the Rose Bowl, but the Transfer Portal is on the horizon. A day after the Crimson Tide battles Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, the portal will open. That means that decisions are being made in the midst of the playoff preparation.
That's especially true for players who aren't expected to have a role in the game.
On Saturday, veteran backup defensive back Kameron Howard announced his intentions to enter the Transfer Portal. He's going to have some company.
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Roq Montgomery, a career back-up to this point, will reportedly enter the portal as well:
NEW: Alabama OL Roq Montgomery plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos reports.
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) December 30, 2025
Montgomery was a 4-star in the 2023 class.https://t.co/ueVsNwMt07 pic.twitter.com/d7MsRpB6Cl
Roq Montgomery will reportedly enter the Transfer Portal
Montgomery was a 4-star recruit out of Anniston in the 2023 class, but has played sparingly during his three years on campus.
Montgomery played in 12 games in 2024, but mostly on special teams. He saw the occasional work in garbage time on the offensive line. According to his official Alabama Athletics page, Montgomery has not seen action of any kind this season to date.
Montgomery figured to have an opportunity to compete for a backup role at one of the interior offensive line spots. But he wasn't able to crack the two-deep in his third year on campus, which ultimately led to his decision to search for another opportunity in the portal.
Montgomery was a Saban recruit out of high school and doesn't fit the agile, athletic profile that Kalen DeBoer and this staff covet from offensive linemen. At 340 pounds, Montgomery could potentially thrive in a more power-based offensive scheme.
Alabama should return interior offensive linemen such as William Sanders, Wilkin Formby, and Joseph Ionata, among others next year. Ionata, a year behind Montgomery, seemed to jump ahead of the Anniston native in the pecking order at center.
Alabama also signed a five-man offensive line class during the 2026 cycle, with players like Chris Booker, Bryson Cooley, and Jared Doughty potentially competing for playing time right away.