The transfer portal has become a way of life for every team in America, including the juggernaut Alabama football program. With fewer rules than ever regarding the portal and player compensation through name, image, and likeness (NIL), college athletes don’t feel obligated to stay at one school, even the Alabama Crimson Tide.
On the heels of longtime head coach Nick Saban retiring after 17 seasons and six national titles, the Crimson Tide lost a wave of players to the transfer portal. However, newly hired frontman Kalen DeBoer is trying his best to combat the portal. DeBoer led the Washington Huskies to the College Football Playoff Championship in 2023 before falling to the Michigan Wolverines. He will lead Alabama in 2024.
Alabama Football HC Kalen DeBoer: Unique Approach to Transfer Portal
Kalen DeBoer, the newest head coach for the Alabama football program, seems more focused on the players on his current roster than those in the transfer portal. DeBoer has made it a point of emphasis for him and his staff to form relationships with the players already enrolled at Alabama in hopes of meeting their needs and the team’s needs while keeping them out of the portal.
During an appearance on The Next Round Live internet show, DeBoer said, “I’m proud of our staff for developing some relationships. I’m proud of how they’ve really helped to show guys their roles in the team and helped the buy-in to those roles happen. There is almost 130 guys on our team, and we are meeting with them individually one-on-one, every single one of them, so those are really important meetings that are happening.”
Kalen DeBoer explains Alabama football’s approach to retaining players during transfer portal window. pic.twitter.com/pdcxXUVb2N
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) April 19, 2024
DeBoer’s approach seems unique in 2023, taking the time to get to know each player on the roster individually. The hard part remains to get buy-in from each player, but DeBoer and the company have done a great job keeping the expectation of success alive in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama Football: Transfer Portal in 2024
Alabama has lost a ton of talent via the transfer portal, specifically in the weeks after the Crimson Tide and legendary head coach Nick Saban parted ways. Alabama lost five-star mega prospect quarterback Julian Sayin, star safety Caleb Downs, and speedster Isaiah Bond, among others. However, DeBoer has done an excellent job stabilizing the program, with only four players entering the portal since late January. According to 247Sports, only wideout Sawyer Deerman has any stars.
Meanwhile, Alabama has done an excellent job replenishing the talent via the portal. Former Michigan Wolverines star safety Keon Sabb highlights the nine incoming transfers. Offensive lineman Parker Brailsford, wide receiver Germie Bernard, and defensive lineman LT Overton will also play for the Crimson Tide next fall.
For More Football News:
For More Football News and to engage in further discussion, follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. I’m always open to your thoughts and insights. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!
