Alabama loses James Brockermeyer to the transfer portal in a surprise departure

The Alabama Football team has lost center James Brockermeyer to the transfer portal as he leaves as a graduate transfer. As a recruit, James Brockermeyer was a four-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class. Brockermeyer appeared in every game for the Alabama Football team while serving as the backup center in 2023. He enters the transfer portal with a no contact tag meaning he already has his destination in mind.

The move comes as a surprise as Brockermeyer was seemingly in a competition for the starting center job with incoming transfer Parker Brailsford. All indications from Spring Practice were that Brockermeyer was having a strong Spring spending a lot of time on the first-team offensive line. In the A-Day Game, Brockermeyer had a strong performance, further solidifying himself in the competition while raising his value for programs needing a center.

The move is both shocking and alarming as Kalen DeBoer has indicated that Parker Brailsford will be back with the team however, there is certainly some uncertainty. The Tide have now lost four centers from the 2023 team as Brockermeyer, Terrence Ferguson, and Seth McLaughlin have transferred while Darrian Dalcourt ran out of eligibility.

In contention for the backup center will be a variety of players including Roq Montgomery who was beginning to cross train once McLaughlin and Ferguson left in the fall.

Could Alabama Football pursue a center in the transfer portal?

As currently constructed, the Alabama Football team will enter the 2024-25 season with one of if not the best offensive lines in the country. The Tide may now look to the transfer portal to add a center with some experience in case the team doesn't return Brailsford or in case of injury. Whether the Tide add a center or not, they'll have one of the best offensive lines in the country and the center will be benefited from playing between two of the nation's best guards.