Alabama WR transfer is wasting no time making noise for Kalen DeBoer at spring ball

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama general manager Courtney Morgan didn’t have the strongest showing in the Transfer Portal this offseason. They had NC State running back, Hollywood Smothers, plucked right out of their grasp by Texas, and were completely outgunned as they watched the Longhorns win a bidding war for Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman. 

However, DeBoer and Morgan did end up with a strong consolation prize for Coleman, NC State wide receiver Noah Rogers. The former blue-chip recruit, who began his career at Ohio State, arrived in Tuscaloosa with two seasons of eligibility remaining, and it has not taken him long to stand out among a talented group of pass-catchers. 

Spring practice for Alabama football began on Sunday, and there are already clips coming out of Rogers making big plays, including this impressive contested catch over sophomore defensive back Nick Sherman. 

Noah Rogers could finally have the statistical breakout he needs

At 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, Rogers is a complete receiver who can stretch the field vertically, make contested catches, and create yards after the catch. He played over 90 percent of his snaps at outside receiver for the Wolfpack last season, so he’ll replace Isaiah Horton at X after Horton transferred to Texas A&M. 

Rogers has back-to-back 400-yard seasons as a redshirt freshman and redshirt sophomore in Raleigh, but he’s yet to have a true breakout. While the Crimson Tide have plenty of mouths to feed on offense between Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, and even rising sophomore tight end Kaleb Edwards, Rogers will be a featured receiver in a robust passing attack. It could finally be the year he puts up the type of numbers that match his physical ability. 

It’s just a short clip from an early spring practice. However, with a relatively underwhelming Transfer Portal still looming large in the rearview mirror, it’s important that Rogers and the rest of the transfer class prove to be worth the investment early on this offseason. Alabama had holes to fill on the roster, so DeBoer will need the newcomers to establish themselves quickly. 

Of the portal class, Rogers was one of the more sure things coming to Alabama. The biggest questions will continue to loom about the young additions on the offensive line, like Racin Delgatty, who is coming from Cal Poly and is expected to compete for the starting center job. Though you probably won’t be seeing any highlight reel plays from Delgatty, Ethan Fields, Kaden Strayhorn, Ty Haywood, or any of the incoming O-linemen this spring.