Alabama must hit on transfer additions to reach potential

As the NCAA transfer portal emerged in college football, Alabama was able to make a couple of huge splashes. Linebacker Henry To’o To’o significantly contributed during the 2021 season after leaving Tennessee while Jameson Williams was a top player in the SEC. Those additions helped the Crimson Tide win the SEC, make the College Football Playoff, and appear in the national championship game.

Looking back to the 2022 season and Alabama did not have nearly as high of a conversion rate on the transfers brought in. Nick Saban had five new faces and On3’s Jesse Simonton argued just two were real contributors in Tuscaloosa. The other three were big names but either inconsistent, did not play, or became valuable too late in the season.

“Nick brought up the fact that they brought in five transfers again,” Simonton said. “They brought in five transfers last year and only hit on two of the five. They hit on (Jahmyr) Gibbs and the sort-of hit on Tyler Steen, the offensive line from Vanderbilt. (Jermaine) Burton wasn’t very good. Two of five on the Alabama baseball team, you’re doing pretty well. Two of five in football? Not how it’s supposed to work.”

Now, in a season where Alabama really needs to make a statement, the transfer portal is going to play a major role for a third consecutive year. The number for Saban is once again five and better results will be required in order to get back to the top of the SEC and college football world.

“Did you land five better transfers? They got the (CJ) Dippre kid from Maryland,” Simonton said. “Linebacker Trezmen Marshall from Georgia and then a couple of defensive backs. They need a better hit rate there. If they hit on those guys, then I think the rest of the pieces are in place. Obviously, (Tyler) Buchner is one of those guys.”

Buchner has the opportunity to have the biggest impact of them all. He will battle Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson for the Alabama starting job. According to Vegas, Buchner is running second in the competition behind Simpson. If the Notre Dame transfer falls into the ‘hit’ category by December, you have to imagine things went to plan in Tuscaloosa.

Responsibility lies on more than just the quarterback’s shoulders, though. Dippre needs to prove to be a safe but lethal option for whoever wins the quarterback competition.

Marshall is expected to begin the season as a starting inside linebacker. If he can hold off youngsters from taking snaps, he likely wound up working out following his back-to-back national titles with Georgia.

And then the two defensive backs — Trey Amos and Jaylen Key — are fighting uphill battles to break into the Alabama secondary, especially coming from Group of Five programs.

Saban better hope more than just two out of the three wind up being successful for Alabama. Recruiting has been well and there are nice pieces in place. But impactful transfers could really set the Crimson Tide over the top in a critical year for the program.