Jalil Bethea's transfer is the final nail in Nate Oats' failed 2025 portal class

Last year's Transfer Portal class was a total bust for Nate Oats and Alabama, something the Crimson Tide's head coach can't afford to repeat in 2026.

Two of Alabama's four additions are back in the Transfer Portal again, with former 5-star recruit Jalil Bethea joining Taylor Bol Bowen in being one-and-done with the Crimson Tide.

Keitenn Bristow is largely expected to follow those two, and Noah Williamson is out of eligibility following an underwhelming (to be kind) season in Tuscaloosa.

Bethea earned praise from Oats for his attitude throughout the season, but it was a difficult season for the former 5-star who transferred to Alabama after spending his freshman season at Miami (FL).

Bethea missed the first six games of the season with a foot injury he suffered in the preseason. Upon his return, he was unable to crack the Crimson Tide's rotation, averaging just 3.9 points in under eight minutes per game. He shot just 37.5% from the floor and 31.4% from three.

Jalil Bethea's decision to leave Alabama in the Transfer Portal isn't a surprise

Bethea was highly sought after a year ago in the portal, and Alabama likely had to pay a decent sum to attract him to Tuscaloosa. More so than anything else, that's probably the reason Bethea is back in the portal now. There was simply no way the Crimson Tide could pay him the same amount of money after such an underwhelming season.

Now, Bethea will seek a fresh start. He's a talented player, particularly when he can get locked in and focused on just playing ball and not trying to force his offense.

Alabama is expected to be very active in the Transfer Portal. Bethea is the third Tide player to enter so far, joining portal classmate Bol Bowen and sophomore center Aiden Sherrell.

Alabama is looking at a big roster rebuild again, in the front and back courts.