Alabama football's 2026 home rematch against Florida State just got a lot more interesting because of the Transfer Portal. Former Auburn QB Ashton Daniels will remain on the Crimson Tide's schedule with his decision to take his talents to Tallahassee:
BREAKING: Auburn transfer QB Ashton Daniels has Committed to Florida State, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 6, 2026
In the 4 games he played this season, Daniels totaled 1,077 yards and 5 TDs
He’ll have 1 year of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/5IIhgyBzp3
Tide fans remember Daniels far too well, after being annoyed while watching him rush for 108 yards and on 23 carries in Jordan-Hare Stadium in the Iron Bowl just seven weeks ago. Daniels also passed for 259 yards on 18 of 39 attempts for a touchdown. This performance was almost enough to put the Tigers over the Tide after nearly overcoming a 17-0 deficit to tie the game late at 20 even before Bray Hubbard forced a fumble on a screen pass from Daniels, which led to Alabama recovering the ball with under a minute to play.
That turnover took away Auburn’s opportunity to tie or win the game late, clinching the Tide's 27-20 win over the Tigers. Daniels didn't win, but he was effective in a sense, in my opinion. I say this because of how dangerous Daniels was able to be with his legs in such a limited offensive system. His 108 rushing yards were the most among quarterbacks Alabama faced all season in 2025.
Ashton Daniels could thrive under Gus Malzhan
Daniels' outing on the ground was even more impressive than former Florida State QB Thomas Castellanos, who killed the Tide by controlling the clock and rushing for 78 yards, along with a touchdown in Alabama's embarrassing 31-17 loss in Tallahassee all the way back in Week 1. Daniels fits the kind of QB Florida State's Guz Malzahn is looking for, in terms of mobility, that has presented Alabama with problems in the past. As Tide fans know all too well, from Cam Newton to Nick Marshall to Castellanos, the problems a former Auburn mastermind can cause with a mobile quarterback of his choosing.
This is why, in my opinion, Alabama fans should take notice of this acquisition. Alabama itself, will have to properly adjust by bringing in talent of its own on the defensive side of the ball before the portal closes. It'll be interesting to see what players Kalen DeBoer & company bring in to counter this move, ahead of Florida State's & Alabama's week 3 rematch in Tuscaloosa from Saban-Field at Bryant Denny Stadium on September 19th.