Alabama transfer portal tracker: postseason departures continue to roll in

With Alabama’s offseason in full swing, Tide Illustrated’s transfer portal tracker will have the latest updates on Crimson Tide players in the portal.

According to a report from ESPN, Alabama is set to lose five-star freshman quarterback Julian Sayin to the transfer portal.

Sayin signed with Alabama as the No. 4 overall player and No. 2 quarterback in the nation. His expected transfer comes a day after Alabama added Washington transfer quarterback Austin Mack from the portal.

During his senior season at Carlsbad High School in California, Sayin completed 74.5% of his passes for 2,347 yards, 24 touchdowns and one interception. He also added 186 yards and four more scores on the ground, leading his team to a 10-1 record and its fifth straight Avocado League title.

Two of Alabama’s top three receivers from last season will be teaming up in Texas next season. Five days after receiver Isaiah Bond announced his transfer to Texas, tight end Amari Niblack also revealed he will be joining the Longhorns. The duo will be joining linebacker Kendrick Blackshire, who announced his transfer to Texas earlier this week. Niblack will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Niblack finished third on the team with 20 receptions for 327 yards last season and was tied for second with four touchdowns through the air. He signed with Alabama as the No. 95 overall player in the 2022 class.

Two weeks after entering the transfer portal, Ian Jackson has a new home. The rising redshirt junior linebacker announced Thursday he is committing to UTSA where he will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Jackson did not see any play time this past season after playing in three games in 2022. The Prattville, Alabama native signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 217 overall player and No. 13 inside linebacker in the 2021 class.

Alabama’s offseason attrition is hitting its 2024 signees. Incoming freshman cornerback Jameer Grimsley became the latest Crimson Tide player to enter the transfer portal. The four-star cornerback was rated as the No. 223 overall player and No. 6 cornerback in this year’s class.

Grimsley’s departure leaves Alabama with just 13 defensive backs on its roster. The Crimson Tide already lost Trey Amos, Caleb Downs, Antonio Kite (Auburn), Earl Little II (Florida State), Jake Pope (Georgia), Dezz Ricks (Texas A&M) and Kristian Story (Kentucky) to the transfer portal.

Former Alabama cornerback Antonio Kite has transferred to Auburn. The team officially announced his signing Wednesday.

Kite is the seventh defensive back to depart Alabama. Caleb Downs is reportedly preparing to put his name in the transfer portal and Dezz Ricks, Trey Amos, Jake Pope, Earl Little II and Kristian Story have all either transferred or entered the portal.

Kite played in seven games last season, appearing mostly on special teams. He did not record any stats. The Anniston Alabama native signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 176 overall player in the 2022 class. He will have three years of eligibility remaining at his next school.

Another freshman starter is set to depart Alabama. On Wednesday, multiple reports confirmed left tackle Kadyn Proctor is planning to enter the portal.

Proctor started 13 games and was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team. He was a five-star prospect and rated the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country for the Class of 2023.

Proctor will have three years of eligibility at his new school.

According to multiple reports Wednesday, Alabama’s star true freshman safety Caleb Downs is planning on entering the transfer portal.

Downs will have three years of eligibility at his new school. He totaled 107 tackles two interceptions, three pass deflections and a forced fumble in his first season with the Crimson Tide. He earned All-SEC first-team honors and won the Shaun Alexander Award given to the nation’s best freshman.

Alabama has now lost five defensive backs to the transfer portal. Downs would be Alabama’s biggest loss should he stay in the portal and take his talents elsewhere.

Former Alabama cornerback Dezz Ricks announced Tuesday that he is transferring to Texas A&M.

Ricks will have three years of eligibility with the Aggies. He appeared in two games for the Crimson Tide this season.

Ricks entered the portal on Jan. 13. He was the No. 30 player and the No. 2 cornerback in the Class of 2023.

Former Alabama linebacker Kendrick Blackshire is headed back to his home state. The Duncanville, Texas native announced his commitment to Texas on Tuesday. He will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Longhorns. Blackshire joins former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who committed to Texas earlier this week.

Blackshire appeared in eight games last season, recording 16 tackles, including one for a loss, with a forced fumble. Along with his role as a reserve inside linebacker, he also served on both kickoff and punt teams as well as the field goal/extra point blocking unit.

Blackshire signed with Alabama as the No. 123 overall player and No. 7 inside linebacker in the 2021 class.

Senior cornerback Trey Amos announced over social media the he plans to enter the transfer portal. The former Louisiana transfer will have one year of eligibility at his next school.

Amos served as Alabama’s third cornerback last season, starting one game over 14 appearances. He recorded five pass breakups to go with 12 tackles during his lone season in Tuscaloosa.

Amos is the third cornerback from last year’s roster to enter the transfer portal since Nick Saban announced his retirement last week.

Florida State’s poaching of former Alabama players continued Monday. Linebacker Shawn Murphy became the fifth former Crimson Tide player to commit to the Seminoles this offseason, joining receiver Malik Benson, offensive lineman Terrence Ferguson, defensive back Earl Little II, and running back Roydell Wiliams.

Murphy played in all 13 games last season, appearing primarily on special teams. He recorded three tackles, including two solo stops. Murphy played in five games during the 2022 season, recording two tackles and a pass breakup. The Manassas, Virginia native signed with Alabama as the No. 49 overall player and No. 2 inside linebacker in the 2022 class.

Murphy 2021 high school Butkus Award and signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 49 overall player and No. 2 inside linebacker in the 2022 class. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

Former Alabama wide receiver Shazz Preston is headed back home. The Saint James, Louisiana native committed to Tulane over social media. He will have three more years of eligibility remaining.

Preston appeared in 10 games for the Crimson Tide over the past two seasons, failing to record any stats. He was listed as Alabama’s third-string option at the Z receiver position in the team’s depth chart to begin the season. Preston signed with Alabama as the No. 45 overall player and No. 6 wide receiver in the 2022 class.

Amari Niblack announced his intention to test the transfer waters Sunday.

Niblack finished third on the team with 20 receptions for 327 yards last season and was tied for second with four touchdowns through the air. He signed with Alabama as the No. 95 overall player in the 2022 class. The rising junior will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school.

If Niblack does enter the portal, he will be the fifth Alabama player to do so since Nick Saban retired last week. Earlier Sunday, the Crimson Tide saw star receiver Isaiah Bond announce his transfer to Texas. Other Alabama players to leave since Saban’s retirement include, linebacker Shawn Murphy as well as defensive backs Antonio Kite and Dezz Ricks.

Niblack will be the 22nd player from last year’s roster to enter the portal.

Former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond will stay in the SEC after entering the transfer portal Friday. Bond announced Sunday that he is transferring to Texas.

Bond will have two years of eligibility with the Longhorns. He led Alabama with 48 receptions last season and finished second on the team with 668 yards and four touchdowns through the air.

Bond would have been Alabama’s leading returning receiver next season after Jermaine Burton declared for the NFL Draft. Kobe Prentice is now Alabama’s leading returning wideout, having snagged 18 catches for 314 yards and a pair of scores last season.

Alabama’s post-Saban attrition continued Saturday night as rising redshirt sophomore linebacker Shawn Murphy entered the transfer portal. The 2021 high school Butkus Award winner will have three years of eligibility at his next school.

Murphy played in all 13 games last season, appearing primarily on special teams. He recorded three tackles, including two solo stops. Murphy played in five games during the 2022 season, recording two tackles and a pass breakup. The Manassas, Virginia native signed with Alabama as the No. 49 overall player and No. 2 inside linebacker in the 2022 class.

Murphy is the fourth Alabama player to enter the transfer portal since Nick Saban retired, joining receiver Isaiah Bond and defensive backs Antonio Kite and Dezz Ricks.

A fourth Alabama player is joining Florida State this offseason. Senior running back Roydell Williams became the latest Tide player to announce his transfer to Tallahassee where he will join former teammates Malik Benson, Terrence Ferguson and Earl Little II.

Williams will have one year of eligibility remaining at his next school.

Williams started two games during his senior season last year, averaging 5.05 yards per carry while finishing second on the team with 560 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 11 receptions for 58 yards and a score through the air. The 5-foot-10, 214-pound back scored five of his six touchdowns over Alabama’s final six games.

Alabama is losing another young defensive back to the transfer portal. According to reports, rising redshirt sophomore cornerback Antonio Kite plans to enter the database.

Kite will be the third Alabama player to enter the portal since Nick Saban announced his retirement earlier this week. He’ll join starting receiver Isaiah Bond and five-star backup cornerback Dezz Ricks.

Kite played in seven games last season, appearing mostly on special teams. He did not record any stats. The Anniston Alabama native signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 176 overall player in the 2022 class. He will have three years of eligibility remaining at his next school.

Alabama is losing one of the stars from its 2023 recruiting class. On Saturday, former five-star cornerback Dezz Ricks announced he is entering the transfer portal.

Ricks was the No. 30 player and the No. 2 cornerback in the Class of 2023. He appeared in two games for the Crimson Tide this season.

Ricks will have three years of eligibility at his new school. He is the second player to enter the portal since Nick Saban returned. Wide receiver Isaiah Bond entered the portal Friday.

Alabama tight end Miles Kitselman is staying in the SEC after entering the transfer portal on Jan. 3. The junior announced Saturday that he is transferring to Tennessee.

Kitselman appeared in 13 games and did not register a catch for Alabama this season. He had two catches for 18 yards for the Crimson Tide in 2022 after transfering from Hutchinson Community College.

Kitselman will one year of eligibility remaining with the Volunteers.

Less than a week after entering the transfer portal, Jake Pope is joining a conference rival. The former Alabama safety announced his transfer to Georgia. He will have three years of eligibility at his next school.

Pope appeared in 12 games this past season, playing primarily on special teams. He did not record any stats. He did not see the field during his first season with the program in 2022.

Pope signed with Alabama as the No. 32 safety in the 2022 class. He was in line to compete for a bigger role this coming season due to the Crimson Tide’s multiple departures in the secondary.

Another former Alabama player is headed to Florida State as rising redshirt junior offensive lineman Terrence Ferguson committed to the Seminoles. Ferguson joins defensive back Earl Little II and wide receiver Malik Benson who announced their transfer from Alabama to Florida State last week.

Ferguson started one game this season, replacing injured Tyler Booker at left guard against South Florida. He made five appearances this season, registering an 80.3 pass-blocking grade and a 57.7 run-blocking mark, according to Pro Football Focus. The former Rivals100 lineman will have two years of eligibility remaining at Florida State.

Kristian Story is staying in the SEC and transferring to Kentucky. A week after entering the transfer portal, the senior safety announced he will spend his final year of eligibility with the Wildcats.

Story started two games over 13 appearances this past season, recording 15 stops, an interception and a pair of pass breakups. The former Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 3 athlete and No. 164 overall player in the 2020 class.

Former Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Hastings is transferring to Missouri. Hastings announced his commitment to the Tigers on Tuesday. He entered the transfer portal Dec. 7.

Hastings has three years of eligibility remaining. He did not feature for Alabama this season after playing just four snaps during his redshirt season last year. He signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 248 overall player in the 2022 class.

Alabama linebacker Kendrick Blackshire has entered the NCAA transfer portal. The rising senior inside linebacker will have one year of eligibility with his next school.

Blackshire appeared in eight games last season, recording 16 tackles, including one for a loss, with a forced fumble. Along with his role as a reserve inside linebacker, he also served on both kickoff and punt teams as well as the field goal/extra point blocking unit.

Blackshire signed with Alabama as the No. 123 overall player and No. 7 inside linebacker in the 2021 class.

Another former Alabama player is headed to Florida State. Junior receiver Malik Benson committed to the Seminoles, joining redshirt freshman Earl Little II as the second Crimson Tide player to announce his transfer to Florida State this month. Benson will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Benson transferred to Alabama from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and was the No. 1 rated junior college recruit in the Class of 2023. He caught 13 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown for the Crimson Tide this season. His lone score came in Alabama’s blowout win over Chattanooga.

Monkell Goodwine is staying in the SEC and transferring to South Carolina, he announced over social media. The redshirt sophomore defensive lineman will have two years of eligibility remaining for the Gamecocks.

Goodwine made just two appearances this past season in games against Middle Tennessee and Mississippi State. He played in one game in 2022 and had a pair of appearances in 2021. Goodwine was a former Rivals100 player in the Class of 2021.

Alabama’s transition in the secondary continued as redshirt freshman safety Jake Pope entered his name in the transfer portal. The Buford, Georgia native will have three years of eligibility at his next school.

Pope appeared in 12 games this past season, playing primarily on special teams. He did not record any stats. He did not see the field during his first season with the program in 2022.

Pope signed with Alabama as the No. 32 safety in the 2022 class. He was in line to compete for a bigger role this coming season due to the Crimson Tide’s multiple departures in the secondary.

Eli Holstein is headed up north. After entering his name in the transfer portal last week, the freshman quarterback is transferring to Pittsburgh, he announced over social media.

Holstein did not see the field during his lone season at Alabama. The Zachary, Louisiana native signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 9 quarterback and No. 147 overall player in last year’s recruiting class.

Holstein’s departure comes after multiple reports that Alabama’s No. 2 quarterback, Ty Simpson, will be returning next season. Simpson played in six games this season, completing 11 of 20 passes for 179 yards. Alabama’s quarterback room next season is set to include starter Jalen Milroe, Simpson, redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan and true freshman Julian Sayin.

Three days after entering the transfer portal, Earl Little II has found a new home. The redshirt freshman committed to Florida State on Saturday and will now have three years of eligibility left with the Seminoles.

Little recorded a pair of tackles over eight appearances this season. He worked primarily in the slot during his time on defense while also serving on both punt teams and the kickoff coverage unit on special teams.

Little joined Alabama as the No. 9 cornerback and No. 83 overall player in the 2022 class. He is the son of former NFL player Earl Little Sr.

Former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin is headed to another perennial title contender. Three days after entering the NCAA transfer portal, McLaughlin committed to Ohio State. The graduate center will have one year of eligibility remaining.

McLaughlin visited Ohio State this week. He chose the Buckeyes over interest from Texas A&M, Ole Miss and several other high-profile Power 5 programs.

McLaughlin logged 25 starts at center over his four years at Alabama, including all 14 of the Crimson Tide’s games this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he registered a 62.7 run-blocking grade and a 78.1 pass-blocking mark. McLaughlin graduated from Alabama magna cum laude with a 4.0 grade point average in finance. He earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team honors.

Despite maintaining the starting role at center, McLaughlin’s senior season was marred by snapping issues, as Alabama struggled with its communication at the line of scrimmage throughout the year. The problems came back to haunt the Crimson Tide during its Rose Bowl loss to Michigan this week, as McLaughlin delivered two errant snaps on Alabama’s first drive of the second half.

Along with losing McLaughlin, Alabama also saw backup center Darrian Dalcourt run out of eligibility following the season. In addition, backup offensive lineman Terrence Ferguson, one of the projected candidates for the starting center role, is also in the transfer portal. The lone true center on Alabama’s roster is rising redshirt junior James Brockermeyer, who has played in just 37 offensive snaps during his first three years with the program.

Alabama is losing its second-leading rusher from 2023 as Roydell Williams entered the transfer portal Friday.

Williams will have one year of eligibility remaining at his next school.

Williams started two games during his senior season last year, averaging 5.05 yards per carry while finishing second on the team with 560 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 11 receptions for 58 yards and a score through the air. The 5-foot-10, 214-pound back scored five of his six touchdowns over Alabama’s final six games.

Alabama is still awaiting a decision from Jase McClellan, who can declare for the NFL Draft or return for another season. The Crimson Tide will have junior Jam Miller, along with talented sophomore Justice Haynes and redshirt freshman Richard Young in its running back room next season.

Alabama linebacker Ian Jackson has entered the transfer portal. The redshirt sophomore will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school.

Jackson did not see any play time this past season after playing in three games in 2022. The Prattville, Alabama native signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 217 overall player and No. 13 inside linebacker in the 2021 class. He is the 10th Alabama player to enter the transfer portal since the Tide’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan

Alabama junior wide receiver Malik Benson entered the transfer portal Wednesday.

Benson transferred to Alabama from Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and was the No. 1 rated junior college recruit in the Class of 2023. He caught 13 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown for the Crimson Tide this season. His lone score came in Alabama’s blowout win over Chattanooga.

Benson will have one year of eligibility at his new school.

Kristian Story will be returning for his final year of eligibility next season, but it will not be with Alabama. The senior safety entered his name in the transfer portal Wednesday, joining a long list of Crimson Tide departures on the day.

Story started two games over 13 appearances this past season, recording 15 stops, an interception and a pair of pass breakups. He was viewed as someone who could compete for a starting role in Alabama’s secondary next season given the Tide’s long list of expected departures in the secondary.

Alabama is losing starting safety Jaylen Key as the graduate is out of eligibility. Starting cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are both projected to be first-round picks in this year’s NFL draft, while starting STAR Malachi Moore is still undecided whether or not he will return to the team for a final year.

Earl Little II joined Alabama’s long list of postseason departures Wednesday by entering his name in the transfer portal. The redshirt freshman defensive back will have three years of eligibility at his next school.

Little recorded a pair of tackles over eight appearances this season. He worked primarily in the slot during his time on defense while also serving on both punt teams and the kickoff coverage unit on special teams.

Little joined Alabama as the No. 9 cornerback and No. 83 overall player in the 2022 class. He is the son of former NFL player Earl Little Sr.

Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Monkell Goodwine entered the transfer portal Jan. 3. He made two appearances against Middle Tennessee and Mississippi State in 2023.

Goodwine played in one game in 2022 and had a pair of appearances in 2021. He was a former Rivals100 player in the Class of 2021.

Eli Holstein is leaving Alabama after just one season. The freshman quarterback joined the Crimson Tide’s mass exodus of players Wednesday as he entered his name in the transfer portal.

Holstein did not see the field during his lone season at Alabama. The Zachary, Louisiana native signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 9 quarterback and No. 147 overall player in last year’s recruiting class.

Holstein’s departure comes after multiple reports that Alabama’s No. 2 quarterback, Ty Simpson, will be returning next season. Simpson played in six games this season, completing 11 of 20 passes for 179 yards. Alabama’s quarterback room next season is set to include starter Jalen Milroe, Simpson, redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan and true freshman Julian Sayin.

Alabama offensive lineman became the eighth Alabama player to enter the transfer portal when he put his name in the database on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

sFerguson has two years of eligibility remaining. He was a Rivals100 recruit in the Class of 2021.

Following a frustrating senior season, Seth McLaughlin has decided to move on from Alabama. The starting center submitted the paperwork to enter his name in the NCAA transfer portal Wednesday as a graduate transfer. He will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school.

McLaughlin met with Alabama head coach Nick Saban on Wednesday to deliver the news to him in person. According to sources close to the starting center, NIL money did not play a factor in his decision to depart the Crimson Tide. Instead, McLaughlin is considering finding a new fit or even entering the NFL draft where he is expected to be either a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.

McLaughlin logged 25 starts at center over his four years at Alabama, including all 14 of the Crimson Tide’s games this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he registered a 62.7 run-blocking grade and a 78.1 pass-blocking mark. McLaughlin graduated from Alabama magna cum laude with a 4.0 grade point average in finance. He earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team honors.

Alabama junior tight end Miles Kitselman announced on Jan. 3 that he is entering the transfer portal.

Kitselman appeared in 13 games and did not register a catch for Alabama this season. He had two catches for 18 yards for the Crimson Tide in 2022 after transfering from Hutchinson Community College.

Kitselman has one year of eligibility remaining.

Redshirt freshman receiver Shazz Preston entered the portal Jan. 2. He is the first Crimson Tide player to enter the transfer portal since Alabama’s Rose Bowl loss to Michigan.

Preston appeared in 10 games for the Crimson Tide over the past two seasons, failing to record any stats. He was listed as Alabama’s third-string option at the Z receiver position in the team’s depth chart to begin the season.

Preston signed with Alabama as the No. 45 overall player and No. 6 wide receiver in the 2022 class. The Saint James, Louisiana native will have three seasons of eligibility remaining at his next school.

Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Anquin Barnes became the fifth Crimson Tide player to announce his departure from the program, entering the portal Dec. 11. He will have two years of eligibility at his new school.

Barnes played in two games for Alabama this season, making his career debut during the season opener against Middle Tennessee State before appearing against Chattanooga. He did not record any stats. The Montgomery, Alabama native signed with the Crimson Tide as a three-star defensive tackle in the 2021 class.

Alabama wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks entered the transfer portal Dec. 7. The junior wideout has one year of eligibility remaining.

Brooks was one of Alabama’s biggest offensive weapons last year, recording 39 receptions for 674 yards and a team-high 8 receiving touchdowns. He lost his starting role and has dealt with a shoulder injury this season, limiting him to 3 catches for 30 yards over nine appearances.

Brooks signed with Alabama as the No. 4 wide receiver and No. 37 overall player in the 2021 class. He is best remembered for his game-tying touchdown catch in the final minute of the 2021 Iron Bowl during his freshman season.

Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Hastings entered the transfer portal Dec.7. Hastings, a redshirt freshman, will have three years of eligibility left at his new school.

Hastings did not feature for Alabama this season after playing just four snaps during his redshirt season last year. The Toronto native signed with the Crimson Tide as the No. 248 overall player in the 2022 class.

After medically redshirting this season, Alabama wide receiver Thaiu Jones-Bell entered his name in the transfer portal Dec. 4.

Jones-Bell was removed from Alabama’s roster in preseason camp, as head coach Nick Saban revealed the receiver was dealing with “some medical issues.” Over three seasons with the Crimson Tide Jones-Bell recorded four catches for 19 yards.

The Hallandale, Florida native joined Alabama as the No. 58 wide receiver in the 2020 class. He is the 13th member of that signing class to transfer from Alabama.

Alabama quarterback Tyler Buchner is entered the transfer portal Dec. 4, but not for football. The redshirt sophomore will now pursue a lacrosse career at his new school.

Buchner transferred to Alabama from Notre Dame this offseason. While he would have to sit out another year to play football at his next school, he will be eligible to play lacrosse right away.

Buchner started the Crimson Tide’s Week 2 win at South Florida, completing 5 of 14 passes for 34 yards while carrying the ball twice for 11 yards before being replaced by Ty Simpson. Over two appearances with Alabama, he completed 8 of 19 passes for 61 yards. He also had three carries for 20 yards and a touchdown.

Buchner originally committed to Notre Dame as the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback and No. 113 overall player in the 2021 class.