24-hours after reports broke of his intention to enter the Transfer Portal, Alabama redshirt freshman WR Rico Scott has had a change of heart and is reportedly expected to return to Tuscaloosa for his third season in the program.
Scott had been the fifth WR from Alabama to enter the portal. That number included Bubba Hampton, who hadn't been with the team since August. Scott was joining Cole Adams, Jalen Hale, and Jaylen Mbakwe.
The news was first reported by On3 and confirmed by 247Sports:
Alabama back up to 6 WRs on the roster for 2026:
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) January 5, 2026
Isaiah Horton (draft?)
Ryan Williams
Lotzeir Brooks
Rico Scott
Derek Meadows
Cederian Morgan https://t.co/IQ1KCQEmK5
Rico Scott is expected to remain at Alabama despite Transfer Portal entry
It was hard to blame Scott for potentially seeking an opportunity elsewhere. After entering the season as Alabama's WR4, he had been passed on the depth chart by freshman Lotzeir Brooks and slipped back to the #5 guy in the pecking order.
His role next season remains to be seen. With Brooks and Ryan Williams both returning, they figure to have two of the three starting spots locked down. If Isaiah Horton decides to stay, he would be the third starter. If Horton leaves, a spot opens up, but Alabama would seemingly then be looking harder at a difference-maker in the Transfer Portal.
Depth was becoming a problem for the Crimson Tide at WR with all the departures. Scott's return is critical for that, even if he slides back into that WR4 spot for next season. He's proven to be a quality player and has game-breaking speed that could potentially lead to a role on the kick and punt return teams as well.
The redshirt freshman caught 11 passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns this season. He found the endzone in the season-opener against Florida State and scored again against Tennessee. He didn't see much action down the stretch as Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb preferred Williams, Bernard, Horton, and Brooks to get the bulk of the snaps.
Scott will get a chance to carve out a role on the 2026 Tide, nonetheless, and his return is some needed positive Transfer Portal news for the Crimson Tide.
Scott's decision should serve as a reminder that just because a player enters the portal, it doesn't necessarily mean there's no chance of a return. There are others, most notably Keon Keeley, that Alabama is trying to re-recruit.
You can keep up with all of Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.