Alabama Has Landed Five Players from Transfer Portal So Far

January 9, 2026 Michael Brauner Alabama, Alabama, Featured News
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 30: An Alabama Crimson Tide helmet sits on a bench during the game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide on September 30, 2023 at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. (Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire)

The Crimson Tide had a roller coaster of a season that ended in a disappointing fashion — an embarrassing blowout at the hands of the Indiana Hoosiers at the Rose Bowl. With recent transfer portal buzz, it’s looking like Kalen DeBoer is going to have quite a different team next season.

The Tide has seen a number of players enter the transfer portal, which definitely raises some alarms for people, but DeBoer has already landed five transfers of his own — with more certainly to follow.

The first transfer Alabama landed happened when they signed Oklahoma State tight end Josh Ford, who will potentially have a chance to step right in with Josh Cuevas headed to the NFL.

Beyond Ford, DeBoer has gotten busy quickly as the season has come to an end. First, he landed linebacker Caleb Woodson out of Virginia Tech to fill another hole.

Woodson was joined on defense by USC defensive lineman Devan Thompkins, who committed to Alabama this week as one of the top rated defenders in the portal overall.

Thompkins and Woodson should help immediately on defense, but it was the additions to the running game, including Ford — who will likely be used as a blocker — which could make the biggest difference.

North Carolina State running back Hollywood Smothers committed and could instantly become the top back on the team next year, and he was joined by Michigan interior offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn, who also could start right away.

Alabama is still pursuing a significant amount of talent, including some of the top players available, such as former Auburn receiver Cam Coleman and Smothers’ NC State teammate, left tackle Jacarrius Peak.

Clearly, DeBoer and the staff are not satisfied with the way things ended this year and are doing whatever it takes to fix it.