Nick Saban explains how Alabama has found success with transfer players

Alabama head coach Nick Saban has brought in five players from the transfer portal this cycle, including three in the top 10 of the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. 

Jahmyr Gibbs is the biggest name, coming from Georgia Tech as the No. 3-ranked transfer, while former Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton and former LSU cornerback Eli Ricks checked in as the No. 6 and No. 8 transfers, respectively. With all three arriving in Tuscaloosa with an already-established brand on the field, it now falls on the returning stars on Alabama’s roster to make them feel right at home behind the scenes.

“I think that our players do a really good job here of embracing new players in the program,” Saban said. “I think it starts with the fact that we’ve had a lot of freshmen that come in and play as freshmen and make a contribution to the team in a very positive way. So I think the culture here is to kind of embrace new players.

“We all want to win and if those guys can contribute to that and develop the kind of standard of excellence that we try to operate around here – I think our players are very accommodating. So I think that is very helpful to those guys feeling comfortable enough to make a contribution.”

Saban has said before that recruiting out of the transfer portal is unnecessary for the Crimson Tide without an immediate need at any respective position, meaning Alabama wouldn’t choose to take any player out of the portal – they’d have to be the best of the best, and that’s exactly what they’re getting with Gibbs, Burton and Ricks.

In two seasons at Georgia Tech, Gibbs has amassed over 2,000 all-purpose yards between his time rushing the ball, catching it out of the backfield and returning kicks. Burton, meanwhile heads into the 2022 season following a two-year stint with Georgia where he combined for 53 receptions, 901 yards and eight touchdowns.

Ricks, also a junior, played in just 14 games over two seasons at LSU. He totaled 31 tackles during that time. He also had five interceptions – two returned for a touchdown – and six pass deflections. His 4 interceptions as a true freshman in 2020 landed him a spot as a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.

The first time Crimson Tide fans will be able to see the three portal standouts in uniform will come on Sept. 3 against Utah State in Tuscaloosa – just one week before Alabama takes on the Texas Longhorns.