In the wake of Nick Saban’s retirement, the Alabama Crimson Tide football team has experienced some significant roster changes.
The latest blow came with the de-commitment of elite five-star quarterback Julian Sayin, who decided to transfer to Ohio State where he will team up with fellow Tide (superstar) transfer Caleb Downs.
It has been an uneasy few weeks in Tuscaloosa since the announcement of new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
BREAKING: Alabama DB Caleb Downs to enter the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/G3jRMrlF80
— Auburn Alan (@SarcasmAndMore) January 17, 2024
Smart decision young man
— Robert McVol (@vol_equalizer) January 20, 2024
Leave it to All-SEC offensive lineman Tyler Booker to stick up for the Tide and make it clear where he stands…
Appearing on The Next Round, Booker addressed the recent player exits, and made it clear those loyal to the Alabama program have no use for those who departed.
“You come to Alabama to really get developed and really take advantage of the opportunity that is being presented to you,” Booker said.
“There’s a lot of opportunity on the table right now, and we have guys capable of stepping up and stepping into those spots and taking advantage of their opportunity.”
— katieholley (@holleygrove99) January 20, 2024
Booker acknowledged the recent transfers, including wide receiver Isaiah Bond to Texas and offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor to Iowa were difficult to hear about – but he and those who remain believe in Coach DeBoer and his vision for the program.
Alabama players entering into the transfer portal after Nick Sabanโs retirement pic.twitter.com/yHIlYFo6eh
— ๐ ฟ๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ฟ๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐ฌ๐ช๐ฌ (@FalconsGotNext2) January 10, 2024
“The transfer portal works both ways,” Booker said. “Once it opens up in the spring, we’ll be able to add more additions if need be. But I feel like we have everything in-house to go on another national championship run.”
“Everything is going to work out, so stay excited for the season because we definitely are,” he enthusiastically added.
A message from @iamtylerbooker to any concerned @AlabamaFTBL fans:
โThe portal works both ways.
Once it opens up in the spring weโll be able to add more if need be but I feel like we have everything in-house that we need in order to go on another National Championship run.โฆ pic.twitter.com/JyXo9rvvM9
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) January 22, 2024
Commenting on the post-Saban coaching landscape, Booker revealed that only one coaching staff reached out to him after Saban’s retirement, despite multiple schools contacting him the previous year.
“Everybody knows not to hit me up because they know my stance on Alabama. They pretty much know how I feel about this program,” he said.
“If you ask anybody here about me, they’re gonna know that I’m really big on loyalty, family, and legacy.”
โEverybody knows not to hit me up because they know my stance on Alabama and how I feel about this program.
If you ask anybody here about me theyโre gonna know that Iโm really big on loyalty, Iโm really big on family, Iโm big on legacyโ @iamtylerbooker @AlabamaFTBLโฆ pic.twitter.com/YZOrgaEWTN
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) January 22, 2024
Speaking of the transfer portal working “both ways,” DeBoer hasn’t done too bad on the trail himself…
Some Elite talent is joining Kalen DeBoer in his 1st season at Alabama๐ https://t.co/e8wopf4ERv pic.twitter.com/2TRCgd6jpK
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) January 24, 2024
Hell, he even managed to bring in Mike Gundy’s kid! (Although he’s not expected to play much, if at all…)
So let me get this straight. Gundy left Oklahoma State after 3 years because he barely ever played. So he transferred to Ohio in the MAC on January 5. However less than 20 days later Gundy re-enters the portal to transfer to Alabama. Sounds like DeBoer recruiting pic.twitter.com/l4Lak7H3Is
— Paul (@TheCorpatty) January 23, 2024
What are your thoughts on the new Wild Wild West world of NIL and the transfer portal?
What guard-rails need to be put in place?
Despite the key departures (especially Downs), how do you think Alabama will do this coming season???