Another former Alabama football player is back in the Transfer Portal. Following Nick Saban's retirement last January, the Tide saw a mass exodus of players who left Tuscaloosa seeking a fresh start in another program. More than a few have already found themselves back in the Transfer Portal for the second offseason in a row.
On Monday, former Alabama guard Terrence "TJ" Ferguson submitted his name into the Transfer Portal.
Ferguson spent three seasons with Alabama from 2021-2023 and saw action in 11 games. He took a redshirt in 2021 and made his only start with the Crimson Tide against USF in 2023. Ferguson choosing to leave after three seasons in a reserve role wasn't too surprising; neither is the fact that he is back in the portal after one disastrous season at Florida State.
Ferguson started seven games for the Seminoles last fall as Florida State fell from ACC Champions to laughingstock with a shocking 2-10 record following a year where they had gone 13-1.
Ferguson will be a fifth-year senior and figures to be sought after on the open market as a veteran power-5 interior lineman. Alabama could have used Ferguson a year ago, though it's not likely he would have seen any more playing time in Tuscaloosa than he did in Tallahassee.
Former Alabama players keep finding out the grass isn't greener other places
Perhaps the current roster has been smart to heed Kalen DeBoer's warning at the end of spring practice about the grass not being greener elsewhere. There are numerous examples of players who left Tuscaloosa last year following Saban's retirement that probably would have been better off staying put. Several of those players have re-entered the portal this offseason.
Guys like TE Amari Niblack, WR Malik Benson, DL Anquin Barnes, DL Khurtiss Perry, CB Antonio Kite, and S Jake Pope, among others, found themselves back where they started a year ago in the Transfer Portal. Each one of those guys would have provided needed depth for the Crimson Tide a year ago and would have higher profiles this season than they did last.
With the 10-day portal window winding down, all has been quiet in Tuscaloosa. Not a single scholarship player has entered the Transfer Portal this spring. There are countless examples of players, particularly those who weren't in starting roles, regretting their decision immediately.
There's still time, but as of now the Crimson Tide has gotten through this window unscathed. That's a welcome change for Alabama fans after last year.