Six biggest Alabama Football Transfer Portal losses and replacements
For now, the raid on Alabama football players has subsided. Let's consider the Crimson Tide's biggest transfer losses and more importantly, the anticipated replacements.
By Ronald Evans
Let's work our way through the six former players and anticipated replacements from the easiest to replace to the hardest.
- Cornerback Trey Amos - What makes the loss of Amos so troubling is it happening at the same time as NFL exits by Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. Amos was slotted to start at corner. When he played in the 2023 season, he performed well. However, he was sixth among the Tide's defensive backs in snaps played. The Crimson Tide roster lost other defensive backs to transfer as well, but the transfer addition of former USC Trojan, Domani Jackson takes care of replacing Amos. And the other, young db's on the 2024 roster offer so much promise that three or four of them could vault into starting roles, based on talent rather than roster desperation.
- Wide Receiver Isaiah Bond - Bond will forever be appreciated by Alabama fans for his 4th-and-31 TD catch in the Iron Bowl. Bond should have had a big impact in the Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb offense. Instead, Texas lured him away with motherlode of NIL cash and the promise of a sweet ride, that went from being a Lamborghini to a Ford Bronco. The loss of Bond is another situation in which the Crimson Tide has ample replacements. Kobe Prentice, Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson, Jalen Hale, and Jaren Hamilton can each provide what Bond did and more. Plus freshmen wideouts have a chance to start, especially 5-Star Ryan Williams, who re-committed to the Crimson Tide on Wednesday.
- Tight End Amari Niblack - No team can ever have enough hybrid receivers with good hands. Niblack can be a major contributor in Sark's offense. That never happened in Tuscaloosa. To an extent, Niblack did not measure up to the blocking proficiency needed in the hybrid role. As a pass-catcher, his modest, two-season production of 21 catches and 321 yards can be explained by offenses that did not match his best skills. With no Niblack, C.J. Dippre should have an expanded role for the Crimson Tide. True freshman Caleb Odom will get a chance for a key role. His skill set is as good or better than Niblack's, but as Niblack did, Odom arrived in Tuscaloosa needing to add weight.