Over the past month, Alabama football landed seven transfers out of the portal after losing 23, with running back Justice Haynes being the most important loss.
Haynes was one of the few transfers who saw significant playing time, alongside Kendrick Law, who was one of five wide receivers to transfer out.
The Crimson Tide responded to those losses with commitments from wide receiver Isaiah Horton and running back Dre’lyn Washington.
Horton is coming out of the University of Miami as a junior and will add valuable depth and experience to the Alabama receiving group. He became an impact starter for the Hurricanes in 2024 and finished the season with 616 receiving yards and five touchdowns after appearing in every game.
Receiver was a needed position for Alabama. However, it will now be in a good position with the addition of Horton, Lotzeir Brooks and Derek Meadows, who are a part of the Crimson Tide’s recruiting class of 2025.
Coming from the University of Louisiana, Washington recorded 478 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season in his junior year with the Ragin’ Cajuns. He also recorded some receiving stats, tallying 6 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. Washington will be Alabama’s second incoming running back next season along with Akylin Dear, who was ranked as the No. 2 running back in the class of 2025.
After losing three offensive linemen to the portal, Alabama also added some depth to that group. The Crimson Tide will now bring in Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry and Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom.
Dewberry finished his junior year with the Aggies having played in every game, taking most snaps at the left guard position and some at right guard.
In contrast, Anugwom has seen little action in his career. He redshirted his freshman year in 2023 and then only made appearances in two games for Ball State this season. However, with training over time, he could become a significant role player for the Crimson Tide.
DeBoer and staff added new players to its defensive line: linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green from Colorado, cornerback Cameron Calhoun from Utah, and defensive lineman Kelby Collins from Florida.
Hill-Green was a second-team All-Big 12 player for the Buffaloes this past season with 11.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions and two pass breakups.
Calhoun started one game for Utah but saw the field in 10 others. At that time, he had tallied 21 tackles and an interception.
“He’s shown physicality. He’s long,” defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. “He looks like our guys.”
Collins only appeared in six games for the Gators this season, recording only six tackles. However, he saw more action in his freshman season the year before, as he earned freshman All-SEC honors after recording 23 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and 1.5 sacks.
Fans can look forward to seeing some of these guys in action at Alabama’s “A-Day” spring practice game, as well as more potential action in the portal when a 10-day window opens on April 16.
