It hasn't gotten as much public praise as others, but Nate Oats has quietly put together one of the most impressive Transfer Portal classes this offseason for Alabama.
Oats had one major goal in mind this offseason for the Crimson Tide: get bigger, tougher, and more versatile. Mission accomplished.
Alabama landed a commitment on Monday from Boise State forward/center Drew Fielder, the biggest portal addition to date for the Crimson Tide so far. Fielder averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for Boise State this past season while knocking down 41% of his threes on over three attempts per game.
Fielder joins a portal haul that includes SEC-experienced big men in Brandon Garrison (Kentucky) and Jamarion Davis-Fleming (Mississippi State), to go along with NC State wing Cole Cloer, who was a Top 30 overall recruit in the 2026 recruiting class before a late reclassification and redshirt with the Wolfpack.
Fielder's commitment sent Alabama's portal class soaring up the rankings, jumping from No. 26 to No. 10 overall, according to the 247 Sports Team Rankings.
Nate Oats is stockpiling talent for Alabama basketball
When you combine Alabama's portal haul with its high school recruiting class, only a few programs are bringing in more talent than the Crimson Tide next season.
Combined with the portal and high school, 247 has Alabama with the No. 4 incoming class in the country, behind just Texas, Tennessee, and Maryland so far.
Along with the four-man portal class, Alabama signed three Top 50 recruits out of high school. 5-star Qayden Samuels and 4-stars Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie, all 6-foot-6 versatile wings, will join the Crimson Tide in 2026. All are capable of making immediate impacts.
Alabama needed an influx of talent this offseason with Labaron Philon entering the NBA Draft. The Tide still has some variables to go, particularly with Amari Allen declaring for the draft and maintaining his eligibility, along with Aden Holloway's pending legal issues.
If both Allen and Holloway are with Alabama next season, it's easy to see this as one of the top rosters in the SEC and a legitimate Final Four contender once again. There's depth and versatility everywhere on the roster.
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