Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Receive Rave Reviews For Transfer Portal Haul
Alabama is under new leadership with the arrival of head coach Kalen DeBoer. With him comes a renewed transfer portal approach that could lead to immediate success as he attempts to fill Nick Saban’s immeasurable shoes.
Alabama is fresh off a SEC Championship win over Georgia but fell short against Michigan in the CFP semifinals at the Rose Bowl. The Crimson Tide have a standard to uphold, which has many projecting massive pressure on DeBoer in Year 1.
DeBoer still signed the No. 2 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle, headlined by five-star defensive backs Jaylen Mbakwe, Zay Mincey, and Zabien Brown. He also landed five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams over in-state rival Auburn.
Clint Brewster of CBS Sports graded Alabama’s transfer portal efforts an “A+” and noted that the Crimson Tide needed to sign a bigger transfer portal class than usual due to Saban’s departure.
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“The Crimson Tide are not used to signing a big portal class, but with the new regime, Alabama will bring in more than a dozen transfers,” Brewster wrote. “Former five-star defensive tackle LT Overton (No. 30 overall in the 247Sports transfer rankings) brings immediate value, as does Germie Bernard (No. 154) at receiver.
“There’s also cornerback Domani Jackson (No. 43), a former five-star speedster who signed with USC a few years back. Jackson needs to get coached up but has worlds of potential.”
DeBoer made his way to Alabama after a stellar two seasons at Washington. He led the program to the National Championship Game appearance while losing just three games in two seasons.