As the Alabama Crimson Tide's football and basketball rosters evolve, Alabama fans can experience wild mood swings. It is important to avoid too quick conclusions. For example, when it was announced Alabama defensive back, Peyton Woodyard had entered the Transfer Portal, some Bama fans were sure Woodyard's exit was tied to the recent transfer addition of Kameron Howard. Alabama football insiders explained that, soon after the A-Day Game the coaching staff knew Woodyard would leave.
Understandably, thin position groups are a legitimate cause for concern. It was learned on Tuesday that another defensive back, Tony Mitchell would also transfer. Losing Woodyard was disappointing. Mitchell did not come out of spring in the secondary's two-deep, so his exit should have no impact on the 2024 season.
Alabama still needs to add an experienced cornerback, but that was the case before the Woodyard and Mitchell exits. Depth is not a problem at safety.
Unofficially Alabama is at 83 scholarship players if James Burnip, Conor Talty, and Graham Nicholson are all on scholarship. Kalen DeBoer has room to add an offensive tackle and a cornerback. Late Portal entries that may not known for a couple of days. It will not be a surprise if a couple of more Alabama players move on, leaving room for DeBoer to add a center and an inside linebacker.
Alabama Crimson Tide Basketball Roster Developments
Alabama roundball fans hoped Cliff Omoruyi would commit before leaving Tuscaloosa. By all accounts, the visit was a home run, but Omoruyi intends to visit North Carolina on Thursday before making a decision.
Omoruyi is thought to be a perfect fit for the Crimson Tide. Rumors continue that Omoruyi's advisors are pushing for a $1.5M NIL deal. There are a couple of reasons why that is unlikely. One is the young man is on a student visa and cannot profit from NIL deals unless they qualify as passive income. Otherwise, any work he performs tied to an NIL package would have to take place outside the United States. Another reason to believe the number is inflated is that $1.5M would be approximately half of basketball's NIL resources going to one player. It is easy to claim that Nate Oats and Hubert Davis are in a bidding war for Omoruyi, but neither program has shown a willingness to spend 'whatever it takes' to land players.
Instead of Omoruyi, Alabama might add Kentucky transfer Ugonna Onyenso. Onyenso was expected to enter the NBA Draft after one season for the Wildcats. He did not, fueling speculation that he is close to joining the Crimson Tide. With either Omoruyi or Onyenso, Nate Oats would have the big man the 2024-25 roster needs.
Troubling Alabama Crimson Tide fans is that sophomore-to-be Jarin Stevenson decided to add his name for NBA early entry. There is little reason to think Stevenson is doing more than seeking valuable NBA feedback. The NBA only drafts 60 players and 195 applied for early entry. There appears to be close to a zero chance Stevenson will not be playing in Crimson and White next season.