Alabama lands another Texas A&M transfer
Alabama’s football program is in the midst of preparation for their first College Football Playoff game since 2022. Even so, Nick Saban‘s staff has been very active in the transfer portal over the past few weeks.
Those efforts paid off once again on Saturday when Texas A&M transfer offensive tackle Naquil Betrand announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide. Betrand was offered by Bama on Sunday, and scheduled an official visit for Jan. 12-14. The Philadelphia (Penn.) native did not need to go on this trip, however, to know that Tuscaloosa would be his future home.
“You see the o-linemen get developed there at a high level,” Betrand told BamaOnLine on Thursday. “Also, being coached by Nick Saban, that’s a blessing right there. Those two things really tally up a lot in my consideration of the school.
“I think that it would be a chance for me to show my capabilities and that I belong in the SEC,” Betrand continued. “Being around good players and you get better every day. It helps you out a lot, too.”
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Speaking of Coach Saban, Betrand was offered by both him and Eric Wolford on Christmas Eve. The 6-foot-6, 343-pounder outlined Saban’s message to him during their conversation.
“He’s got a lot of pride and happiness that he’s recruiting me,” Betrand recently said of Saban’s conversation with him. “He feels like I can come in and be a starter. Just do what I’ve got to do. I’d be able to play at Alabama. It felt great. It’s just a blessing.”
Betrand is not the first Texas A&M transfer to commit to Alabama this month. LT Overton, defensive lineman signee for the Aggies in the 2022 class, chose the Tide back on Dec. 19 and is with the team in Pasadena. Overton has also spoken with Betrand about Bama and why it was the best fit for him.
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Saban and Company also received a commitment from USC cornerback transfer Domani Jackson on Thursday.
On July 16 of this year, Betrand had announced that due to “unforeseen circumstances,” he was reclassifying to the 2024 class and enrolling at JP Collegiate in North Carolina. Those plans changed, however, as Betrand was enrolled at Texas A&M less than two months later.
Betrand, who did not play for the Aggies this season, will have four years of eligibility remaining at Alabama.
A full interview with Betrand will be posted on BamaOnLine later on Saturday. He’s already embraced being a part of Bama’s football team, and is ready to get on campus in January.
“Let’s win this natty,” Betrand said.
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