The Alabama football program will go through a massive change next season, with longtime head coach and seven-time champion Nick Saban announcing his retirement earlier this week. The fallout of his shocking departure continued on Friday, with star wide receiver Isaiah Bond announcing his intent to enter the transfer portal.
Alabama leading receiver Isaiah Bond has submitted his paperwork to enter the transfer portal, a source tells @247Sports.
The former top-50 overall recruit led the Crimson Tide with 48 catches this year. (@_NickKelly 1st).https://t.co/asq9HQZPeJ pic.twitter.com/2UWDFN8tAT
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 12, 2024
Five-star receiver Ryan Williams was also a casualty of Saban’s retirement. The incoming freshman decommitted from the program on Thursday.
Isaiah Bond: Alabama Football Hero
Bond, the second-best athlete in the class of 2022 per 247Sports, spent the past two years with Alabama football. He caught 17 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman last season. However, this season, he took a giant leap forward regarding production and playing time. The Georgia native snagged a team-high 48 passes for 668 yards and four scores in 14 games.
Bond played hero in his team’s last-second victory over the Auburn Tigers in the regular season finale. Trailing 24-20 and facing fourth-and-goal from the Auburn 31-yard-line, quarterback Jalen Milroe hit Bond in the back left of the endzone for the game-winning touchdown. The Crimson Tide would beat the then-top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff. Alabama eventually lost a heartbreaker to the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl. Bond’s best career game with the Crimson Tide came against the Texas A&M Aggies in early October, catching seven passes for 96 yards and a score.
Alabama Football: Transfer Portal Moves Thus Far
Alongside Bond, the Crimson Tide have lost offensive linemen Seth McLaughlin and Terrence Ferguson, cornerbacks Earl Little Jr. and Kristian Story, defensive linemen Isaiah Hastings and Monkell Goodwine, linebacker Kendrick Blackshire, quarterback Eli Holstein, wide receiver Malik Benson, and running back Roydell Williams, among others to the transfer portal. Williams and McLaughlin signify two of the most significant losses for Alabama. Williams rushed for 1,165 yards and 11 touchdowns during his time under Nick Saban, while McLaughlin started at center for the Crimson Tide.
They have also added talent via the transfer portal. USC cornerback Domani Jackson and Texas A&M defensive lineman LT Overton have committed to the Crimson Tide for next fall.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. 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!