Nick Saban on transfer portal: Alabama standard is 'not for everybody'

Over the last few cycles, Nick Saban has used the transfer portal to help bolster the Alabama roster. Names such as Jahmyr Gibbs and Henry To’oTo’o came in and made immediate impacts, and he’s hoping for more of the same this year.

But the portal is a two-way street. Saban has also lost some players from the Alabama roster, and he talked about that part of the portal on Wednesday.

Saban talked about the high expectations of the Crimson Tide program to help get them ready for the next level and help them personally through their college years. He knows some aren’t going to like it, and that’s why they have the “choice” to enter the portal.

“Guys that get in the transfer portal — this is not for everybody,” Saban said. “Maybe people that want to be here, want to be good, want to do the best they can, develop value for their future and who they are as a person, what kind of requirements we have for them to succeed academically so they can develop a career on the field, and what we’re going to do to try to develop them on the field.

“I’m not mentioning any names, but there’s only like one player that I was really disappointed that the guy didn’t stay here, and I couldn’t understand why he was leaving. And all the rest of them, they would have contributed if they stayed and had the right attitude. But it’s their choice. What we have an opportunity to do when guys leave is we have an opportunity to replace them, too.”

How Nick Saban, Alabama have fared in the transfer portal over the last two cycles

Alabama lost 22 players to the transfer portal this past cycle, but brought in five to help offset that. The group of newcomers includes Tyler Buchner, who’s in from Notre Dame and is currently battling to become the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback.

Another notable offensive weapon Saban landed is former Maryland tight end CJ Dippre — the No. 32-ranked transfer to enter the portal during the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings.

Alabama’s top returning wide receiver was also a portal pickup. Jermaine Burton arrived in Tuscaloosa last year from Georgia and checked in as the No. 6-ranked transfer in 2022, per the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. He totaled 677 yards a year ago to lead the Crimson Tide and could be a key part of the offense once again this season.