Nate Oats's strategy in the Transfer Portal has been obvious for Alabama: get bigger, more physical, and more versatile in the frontcourt.
Mission accomplished with the additions of Kentucky's Brandon Garrison and Mississippi State's Jamarion Davis-Fleming. Another piece of the puzzle could be added soon, as Alabama hosted Boise State forward/center Drew Fielder on a visit this weekend.
Alabama also added NC State transfer wing Cole Cloer in the portal, who will basically serve as the Tide's fourth recruit in the 2026 class. Cloer reclassified and joined NC State in January, and was a Top 30 overall recruit in the 2026 class before doing so.
But mysteriously absent so far for Alabama has been any kind of push to add a lead guard.
Alabama lost Labaron Philon, a third-team All-American this year, to the NBA Draft. Alabama also lost Latrell Wrightsell this offseason due to exhausted eligibility. And then there are two major variables for next season that Oats appears to be comfortable going in Alabama's favor.
That's Aden Holloway's pending legal issues stemming from his March arrest for marijuana possession, and Amari Allen's pending NBA Draft decision. If both are back on the court for the Crimson Tide next season, then Alabama should be fine without adding another guard. But if one goes the other way, the Crimson Tide will be pretty thin in the backcourt. And if both flip the other direction, Alabama would be in deep, deep trouble.
Nate Oats appears confident that both Aden Holloway and Amari Allen will return
It feels like a gamble from the outside looking in, but the obvious caveat is that Oats is working with better information on both accounts than any of us are.
He has had little trouble finding and developing difference-makers at guard in this system. Oats knows how critical guards are for his offense, and if he had any concern, then Alabama would be being a lot more aggressive in pursuing some of the top names out there.
Furman's Alex Wilkins was a popular name linked to Alabama, and one we at Bama Hammer certainly liked as an option in the backcourt. As disappointing as it was when he committed to Kentucky on Saturday, there was never any verified information that Alabama was making a major play for the mid-major star.
Alabama was also linked to Kentucky transfer Jasper Johnson early in the process, but that never got further than some initial conversations. He ended up at Oregon, likely for more money and a more guaranteed role than he was going to get from Oats.
There will be good options remaining at guard in the portal after the NBA Draft early entry deadline. The entry to declare is April 24th, which is three days after the Transfer Portal window closes. Just a reminder: closing of the portal window doesn't mean anything other than it's the deadline to enter the portal. Players will still visit and sign with schools long after the window closes.
If Allen declares for the draft, Oats will have an increased sense of urgency to find a guard. And likely a decent bit of money to spend on one. It's fair to worry, though, that the best options for Alabama are already off the board.
Alabama's three-man recruiting class will bring some versatility to play between guard and wing. 5-star Qayden Samuels, in particular, is a listed 6-foot-5 and likely to play the two-guard spot for the Crimson Tide. Both Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie have guard skills and can certainly initiate some offense, too.
Oats has earned the trust of fans in building Alabama's roster. But fans have every right to feel a little antsy, too.
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