There were a lot of twists and turns during the recruitment of 4-star defensive lineman Antonio Coleman in the 2025 recruiting cycle. He wavered on his commitment between Alabama and Auburn multiple times, ultimately choosing the Tigers in the end. But after one season on the Plains, Coleman is back on the market.
According to On3's Hayes Fawcett, Coleman intends to enter the Transfer Portal when the window opens on January 2nd:
BREAKING: Auburn True Freshman DL Antonio Coleman plans to enter the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 5, 2025
He’ll have 4 years of eligibility remaining
Was ranked as a 4-Star Recruit in the 2025 Class https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/yrLyEEB8A6
Coleman's recruitment was a wild ride. He originally committed to Nick Saban and Alabama in September of 2023. He flipped to Auburn in December of the same year, but was wooed back to the Crimson Tide's class by Kalen DeBoer and the new coaching staff in March of 2024. That commitment only lasted until July, when he flipped back to Auburn for good.
The roller coaster ride for Coleman continued before the season started for Auburn. Hugh Freeze indefinitely suspended Coleman in August, a couple of weeks shy of the season opener, for a violation of team rules.
Coleman ultimately redshirted after not playing a single snap for Auburn as a freshman. He's back on the market with four years of eligibility remaining.
Don't expect Alabama to be involved with Antonio Coleman in the Transfer Portal
Coleman will have suitors in the portal. He has great size and is just one year removed from having 4-star pedigree. Just don't expect Alabama to be one of the teams in line for his services.
Alabama has already signed a quality defensive line class in the 2026 cycle, and it's unlikely that DeBoer would like to get back involved with the Coleman circus.
Alabama signed highly sought after defensive linemen in Nolan Wilson, Jamarion Matthews, Corey Howard, and Malique Franklin in this class
The Crimson Tide would seemingly be in a good spot with young talent on the defensive front, but could be in the market for a potential difference-maker in the Transfer Portal with both LT Overton (Bandit) and Tim Keenan (Nose) exhausting their eligibility after the season.
But with the current crop of incoming defensive linemen, along with young talent like London Simmons and Steve Mboumoua, Alabama doesn't have to take a flier on a kid who spurned them twice in the recruiting process a year ago.