Alabama football redshirt freshman QB Dylan Lonergan is entering the NCAA's Transfer Portal, per a report by On3's Pete Nakos.
Lonergan becomes the ninth Alabama player to enter the Transfer Portal so far. This one comes as little surprise as Lonergan was running as the third or fourth quarterback all season behind Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson, and likely slightly behind Washington transfer Austin Mack.
Lonergan saw action in two games during his two years in Tuscaloosa. This season, he saw some second half action against Mercer, completing 5-6 passing for 23 yards.
With the expectation that Milroe will ultimately declare for the NFL Draft, Lonergan's decision could leave Alabama with just three scholarship quarterbacks for the 2025 season.
Simpson and Mack are expected to remain at Alabama and compete for the starting job. They will have to hold off incoming 5-star Keelon Russell, who was just named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.
Most programs like to have at least four quarterbacks on the roster, but in the age of the portal that becomes tougher and tougher. Players are more and more unwilling to sit for several years as a backup.
Lonergan would have been given the opportunity to compete for the starting job in the spring, but I'm sure he saw the writing on the wall with the expectation of Simpson starting next year and just how talented Russell is. The 2025 starter is likely going to be a bridge to Russell.
It will be interesting to see if Kalen DeBoer looks to the portal to take a flier on another QB. It would have to be a developmental type or a veteran who is looking to perhaps become a Grad Assistant with no thoughts of playing.
That kind of player won't be easy to find, so don't be surprised if the three guys left in the room (assuming Milroe does go pro) are the three guys Alabama goes into the season with next year.