Flurry of Alabama players enter transfer portal Wednesday afternoon
A flurry of Alabama players officially entered the transfer portal on Wednesday afternoon.
Quarterback Eli Holstein, defensive backs Kristian Story and Earl Little Jr., wide receiver Malik Benson and defensive lineman Monkell Goodwine showed up in the portal, joining wide receiver Shazz Preston, tight end Miles Kistelman and offensive linemen Terrence Ferguson and Seth McLaughlin to bring the Crimson Tide’s week-long total to nine.
Little and Story both told BamaOnLine they were planning on returning for the 2024 campaign, but following the loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl semifinal on Monday and discussions with coach Nick Saban, both players elected to enter the portal Wednesday. It is worth noting that a player can also choose to withdraw from the portal and return.
Both Benson and Story filled first-team roles this season. Benson, a junior college transfer, saw playing time in all 14 games and started six games at wide receiver. He caught 13 passes for 162 yards and one touchdown. A senior, Story started two of the 13 games he appeared in and finished the 2023 season with 15 tackles, two pass breakup and one interception.
Of the five players that most recently entered the portal, only Holstein did not see the field in a game this season. The true freshman quarterback was fifth on the depth chart, and Alabama is expected to welcome back Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan in addition to adding Julian Sayin, the top quarterback in the 2024 class, according to On3.
The transfer portal’s 30-day window opened on Monday, Dec. 4, but players on teams that played in bowl games on New Year’s Day received an extended window from Jan. 2-6.
ALABAMA PLAYERS IN THE PORTAL
Tyler Buchner, QB (Notre Dame, lacrosse)
Thaiu Jones-Bell, WR
Ja’Corey Brooks, WR (Louisville)
Isaiah Hastings, DL
Anquin Barnes, DL (Colorado)
Shazz Preston, WR
Miles Kitselman, TE
Terrence Ferguson, OL
Seth McLaughlin, OL
Eli Holstein, QB
Kristian Story, DB
Malik Benson, WR
Earl Little, DB
Monkell Goodwine, DL
Keep up with movement from around the country with On3’s Transfer Portal Wire.
Not a member, Tide fans? Join BOL today!
Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $9.99! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!
