It wasn't a major surprise considering 4-star OL Sam Utu had not returned to campus for an in-season visit since he committed to Alabama back in June, but Utu made it official on Monday night by announcing his decommitment:
BREAKING: Four-Star IOL Samuelu Utu has Decommitted from Alabama, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 25, 2025
The 6’4 320 IOL from Little Saigon, CA had been Committed to the Crimson Tide since Junehttps://t.co/cmDNwoBHwS pic.twitter.com/sYpceWKNJs
Utu was one of four offensive line commitments for the Crimson Tide in its 2026 class. With his decommitment, Alabama is left with 4-stars Chris Booker and Jared Doughty, along with 3-star Bear Fretwell. Doughty was the latest pledge to the Alabama class, committing to Alabama on October 5th.
Even after Utu's decommitment, Alabama's 2026 class still ranks No. 3 in the composite, per 247 Sports.
Alabama will likely be active in the Transfer Portal for offensive linemen
A lot depends on impending early NFL Draft entry decisions by a few players, but Alabama was likely going to be in the market for a portal offensive lineman or two regardless of whether or not Utu remained in the class.
Junior left tackle Kadyn Proctor is widely expected to enter the draft. Redshirt junior center Parker Brailsford could follow suit, though it wouldn't be a major surprise, depending on the feedback he receives from the NFL, if Brailsford returned for his fifth season of college football.
Alabama will lose three senior interior linemen in Kam Dewberry, Geno VanDeMark, and Jaeden Roberts.
DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, and OL coach Chris Kapilovic have done a good job in developing depth up front throughout the season, but if Alabama loses both Proctor and Brailsford in addition to the three seniors, it would only return one starter (Wilkin Formby) from this year's offensive line in 2026.
Alabama has some talented youngsters like Michael Carroll and Jackson Lloyd, who could ultimately be the starting tackles next season. But DeBoer will be in the market for some experience to come in and compete up front next season.
Alabama signed a really good OL class last year, and will sign a good one in December, too, even without Utu. But there's no substitute for experience, and that will likely be in short supply in Tuscaloosa next year unless the Crimson Tide hits the Transfer Portal hard.