Team rosters will be depleted for Alabama Football and Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The teams are basically even in the number of Transfer Portal exits. Injuries have a greater impact on Alabama's ReliaQuest Bowl roster, while opt-outs for NFL hopefuls have, so far, only affected the Wolverines.
According to Bama247, Alabama Football is expected to have around 65 scholarship players available for the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Wolverines may have an even lower number.
Along with the downside of roster attrition, comes opportunity. Reserve Michigan tight end, Marlon Klein is expected to start against Alabama. Klein explained the opportunity he and other teammates are getting from the bowl game, "A lot of guys are going to be playing that didn’t have the opportunity to showcase their ability this season. It’s going to be a springboard into spring ball, fall camp and next season to see who’s going to step up in this game."
Michigan's opt-outs include at least four highly rated NFL prospects. Not playing the bowl game are running back, Donovan Edwards, cornerback Will Johnson, tight end Colston Loveland, and defensive lineman, Mason Graham.
The only Alabama opt-out for NFL-bound players makes good sense. Crimson Tide fifth-season starter, Malachi Moore will have a previously delayed surgery, allowing him more recovery time for later exposure to NFL teams.
Moore's decision means a Crimson Tide backup safety will start in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Two possible candidates are Zay Mincey and Jaylen Mbakwe. Another bowl game option for Mbakwe is playing wide receiver. Apparently, Mbakwe's future in Tuscaloosa will include playing on offense. Alabama only has four healthy scholarship wide receivers for the bowl game. Jalen Hale has not fully recovered from injury. Also injured are Cole Adams, Amari Jefferson, and Bubba Hampton. A guess is Mincey, along with Bray Hubbard, backed up by Kam Howard and King Mack will provide the manpower at safety. DaShawn Jones is expected to be the first choice at Husky, backed up by Red Morgan. Jones and DeVonta Smith had been rotating for several games.
Not having Moore is a big loss for Alabama. A much less experienced wide receiver group is also problematic. The guys stepping up for Alabama will have a mindset equal to the one defined by Michigan's Marlon Klein. They will have opportunities to stand out and thrust themselves into contention for key roles in 2025.
Alabama Football will still have a roster advantage
With no Malachi, Deonate Lawson, Keon Sabb, Que Robinson, Cole Adams, and transfers Justice Haynes, Kendrick Law, Kobe Prentice, and DeVonta Smith Alabama may appear vulnerable against the Wolverines. But the Crimson Tide will still have a roster advantage.