Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer had to say goodbye to over 20 scholarship players after a 9-4 finish to his first season in Tuscaloosa.
Many of the departures were starters or highly regarded recruits at one point, so let’s check in on how they’ve fared on their new teams this season.
Justice Haynes
After having just one 100-yard game in two seasons in Tuscaloosa, running back Justice Haynes has burst on the scene in the maize and blue.
Haynes went for over 100 yards in six of his seven games with Michigan, scoring 10 touchdowns in the process.
“He should be up for the Heisman,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said.
However, injuries have plagued Haynes as of late. He has missed three of his last four games with a nagging right-foot injury.
Early on Nov. 18, the team announced that Haynes would undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law
Wide receivers Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law both had established roles with Alabama but chose to play elsewhere in 2025.
Prentice was a solid option out-wide for Alabama, raking in over 300 yards in two of his three seasons. He is currently on pace to set new career highs as a Baylor Bear.
Prentice scored a touchdown in five of his first six games with at least one catch in every game this season.
Law has had a breakout season in Lexington after spending three years with the Crimson Tide.
Law has totaled career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns this season with the Wildcats, including a game-winning touchdown over Auburn.
In Saturday’s win over Tennessee Tech, Law reeled in 11 passes for 124 yards.
Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
If transferring has worked out for anyone this year, it’s worked out for wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson.
The Alabama native spent his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide, catching just five passes. It’s been entirely different for Henderson in Kansas.
“His hands have gotten extremely more consistent the back half of camp and he’s shown it in these games,” Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels said. “He works so hard. He is humble.”
In 10 games for the Jayhawks Henderson has 41 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns. He had a career day in a 3-point loss to now No. 25 Cincinnati when he brought in five passes for 214 yards and added two touchdowns.
Jahiem Oatis, King Mack and DeVonta Smith
Defensive lineman Jahiem Oatis was a two year starter in Tuscaloosa who opted to enter the transfer portal during the middle of the 2024 season. Oatis, now at Colorado, has combined for eight total tackles this season.
Defensive back King Mack completed the roundtrip when he transferred back to Penn State after spending one season at Alabama. He’s had a career season back with the Nittany Lions, totaling 38 tackles and an interception.
Defensive back DeVonta Smith has struggled with injuries in his first season with Notre Dame, but has been an impact player when healthy. He totaled two tackles and a pass deflection in the Fighting Irish win over Pittsburgh Saturday.
Dylan Lonergan
Quarterback Dylan Lonergan received high praise from former Alabama and current Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien during fall camp. Beating out incumbent Grayson James for the starting job, Lonergan looked poised to break out.
Despite a 1-2 record, Lonergan shined over his first three starts, throwing for 330 yards per game and seven touchdowns in that stretch. He cooled off, and after a slow start against Pittsburgh, Lonergan was pulled for the aforementioned James.
He returned to the starting role against No. 16 Georgia Tech and passed for 362 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles lost 36-34.
