Alabama Football and Crimson Tide Basketball Portal developments
By Ronald Evans
The Alabama Football program did not exactly explode on day one of the spring Transfer Portal. There was plenty of media coverage of Kadyn Proctor returning to the Crimson Tide. For Alabama fans, it was old, but satisfying news to re-land the top offensive tackle in the Portal.
Otherwise, Tuesday was a quiet day for Alabama Football, with no announced Portal exits from Crimson Tide players. Keep in mind that while players can announce a transfer decision, the official Portal entry process can take up to 48 hours. All the players that decided to enter the Portal on Tuesday are not yet known. Plus decisions can be made as late as Apr. 30.
Alabama football insiders are confident one or two additional offensive linemen will be added. At least one experienced cornerback is expected to join the Crimson Tide. There was some buzz on Tuesday that Alabama was talking to at least one wide receiver. Possibly, Alabama will pursue a placekicker as well. Walk-on placekicker Reed Harradine is seeking a Portal transfer.
Alabama Football received other good news on Tuesday with Ty Simpson announcing he has no intention to transfer. Simpson appeared to be an improved player in the A-Day game. Kalen DeBoer has been quite complimentary of the progress Simpson has made. Some Alabama fans believe Jalen Milroe and Simpson are even, in the pursuit of the fall's QB1 slot. It appears to others that Milroe is the clear leader, but QB2 is always just one play away from becoming the starter.
Alabama Basketball Portal News
Nate Oats is losing big man, Nick Pringle to transfer. That brings the Tide's transfer-out count to five players (Pringle, Rylan Griffen, Kris Parker, Davin Cosby and Sam Walters). There is no new info on Mo Wague or Mo Dioubate. Final NBA decisions by Mark Sears and Grant Nelson could be weeks away.
Nate Oats has added two transfers, Pepperdine's, Houston Mallette, and former USF player, Chris Youngblood. Both new players are sharpshooters. With Aaron Estrada gone and Mark Sears possibly leaving as well, Nate Oats needs a ball-handling guard. Former Auburn Tiger, Aden Holloway will begin a visit to Tuscaloosa on Thursday. Aden was a 5-Star in the 2023 class, projected as the third-best point guard. Holloway's freshman season at Auburn did not match his potential. He is expected to be a better fit for Nate Oats' system.
Possibly also visiting soon is Clifford Omoruyi. In his four seasons at Rutgers, the 6'11" and 240 lbs. center is known more for defense and as a top rim protector. He is a good rebounder and an adequate free-throw shooter. He does not venture outside the arc but is a good fit for the Nate Oats' dunker role. Omoruyi is being chased by several teams, with St. John's often mentioned as having the best chance to land him.