With the early signing period in the rear-view mirror, and Alabama only involved with a handful of yet-unsigned prospects, the most important period coming up for setting the 2025 roster will actually take place while the 2024 season is still ongoing.
That period, of course, is the opening of the fall transfer portal, which begins Dec. 9 and continues through Dec. 28. If Alabama is selected for the College Football Playoff, the Crimson Tide will play its first game either Dec. 20 or 21. If Alabama were to win its opening-round matchup, the quarterfinal round would take place Dec. 31, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025.
This creates a quandary both for Alabama and many players on its roster. Two Crimson Tiders have been reported to have announced intentions to transfer already, reserve CB Jahlil Hurley and WR Kobe Prentice, a one-time starter who had fallen down the depth chart with the arrival of the Kalen DeBoer staff. They aren’t expected to be the only two to declare for the portal, but the timing of the portal means that any players who intend to transfer in the pre-spring period – which is by far the higher profile of the two portal periods, the other being after spring practices have concluded – must declare their intentions while Alabama’s season is still ongoing.
And that’s only half the issue. As part of the NCAA settlement on athlete compensation, the SEC established an 85-man roster limit for scholarshipped football players for 2025, and an overall limit of 105 players – meaning, a de facto cap on walk-ons at 20.
Here’s where Alabama falls currently in regard to those two limits, and here’s a very – very – early discussion about what Bama fans might expect as Alabama goes off into the first fall transfer portal period of Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama career, as DeBoer was still at Washington during the 2023-2024 early portal period:
Alabama already projects to be over both roster limits unless there is significant attrition
Going into the 2025 season, if Alabama simply loses its seniors and graduate students, the Crimson Tide has a total of 130 players on the projected roster for the opening of spring football. Of that number, 90 are on scholarship and 40 are walk-ons. Alabama must cut a minimum of 20 walk-ons and 5 scholarshipped players in order to get under the limit.
In regard to those on scholarship, no cuts will likely be necessary; the list of 130 players on the roster includes several who are considering early entry into the NFL Draft: defensive linemen Tim Keenan and L.T. Overton, linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson, defensive backs Keon Sabb and Domani Jackson, quarterback Jalen Milroe, receiver Germie Bernard and offensive linemen Tyler Booker, Jaeden Roberts and Parker Brailsford. Not all 11 players on that list will declare, but many are expected to.
The list of 130 includes players that just signed during the early period; it does not, however, include players on scholarship that are still technically on the roster now, but have already left the team: OLB Keanu Koht, OL Naquil Betrand and DL Jeheim Oatis. They have already been subtracted from the total.
There are also questions that still remain unanswered at this time. Chief among those is whether walk-ons cut from the roster but who remain in school could rejoin the roster in the middle of the season if the team experienced significant injuries at a position. We’ve seen nothing about “reserve rosters” or anything similar, so the safe assumption to make is that once the 105-man roster is set, it’s set for the year. The next question is, when will it be set? We expect the final numbers to be set at the end of fall camp, because teams will have to incorporate players added during the summer transfer portal window.
Alabama is expected to lose 10-30 players to the transfer portal and add a similar number
Kalen DeBoer has been measured in his words, but has already given an indication that Alabama coaches are expecting a fairly large number of transfers. The timing of the College Football Playoff makes it difficult, however, to plan for just what Alabama will have in town for spring camp.
If Bama goes deep into the playoffs, it may make the spring portal window – scheduled for April 16-25 – the larger of the two, but the longer Alabama waits to pursue players in the portal, the harder it will be to remake the roster for 2025. Many observers believe that DeBoer may deliberately push some players into the portal who proved to be poor fits for Alabama’s new offensive and defensive systems. In short, the 2024-2025 portal may give DeBoer and his staff a second chance to do what it didn’t do last year, when the primary goal in roster management was keeping as much of the roster together through the transition period as possible.
Finally, it’s worth nothing that the 2024-2025 portal cycle may turn out to be a one-off. Much of the logic underpinning the timing of the portal and size of the rosters stems from an expected settlement regarding revenue sharing, NIL collectives and the changing face of college football from a sport rooted in amateurism to a semi-pro model. Some observers expect the NCAA, or at least the individual conferences, to take a second run at roster size limits for 2026 and beyond, and there has been a growing concern among some coaches about portal windows that open during the current season. In the case of the latter, however, students who want to transfer from one school to another must still respect academic windows and deadlines, so there might not be much the league can do to make the portal windows more palatable to coaches.
Here’s a look at where Alabama’s 2025 roster is now, and what it might look like
This is broken down by position, but we have no specific knowledge of players who are looking to enter the transfer portal, nor do we have specific information on players targeting Alabama.
QUARTERBACKS
Departing 2024 Players: None
Players Eligible For NFL Draft: Jalen Milroe (Sr.), Ty Simpson (Jr.)
Returning Players Not Eligible For NFL Draft: Dylan Lonergan (So.), Austin Mack (So.)
Walk-Ons on Current Roster: Cade Carruth (Jr.), John Cooper (RFr.)
Incoming Players: Keelon Russell
Possible Transfers Out: Milroe, Simpson, Lonergan
Analysis: The first question here is whether Jalen Milroe goes to the NFL or not. We expect Milroe will head to the NFL Draft, as quarterback numbers in this draft cycle make it more favorable for him to go now rather than in 2026. Beyond that, it’s somewhat a game of chicken between Simpson and Lonergan; do both of them stay through spring practice to compete for the job? Does Lonergan leave during the early period? We’re not sure how it’s going to play out, but we expect Alabama will lose two of its top three quarterbacks, leaving either Simpson or Lonergan backed up by Austin Mack, and true freshman Keelon Russell as the third-string quarterback in 2025. We think Cade Carruth will stick as a walk-on. We do not expect Alabama to take a quarterback in the portal.
RUNNING BACKS
Departing 2024 Players: None
Players Eligible For NFL Draft: Jamarion Miller (Sr.)
Returning Players Not Eligible For NFL Draft: Justice Haynes (Jr.), Richard Young (So.), Daniel Hill (So.), Kevin Riley (RFr.)
Walk-Ons on Current Roster: J.R. Gardner (So.), Michael Lorino III (Jr.), Fredrick Moore (RFr.)
Incoming Players: Akylin Dear
Possible Transfers Out: Haynes, Young, Hill
Analysis: We expect Jam Miller to return for 2025 and be the starter, but nothing is certain behind him. Justice Haynes has been rumored to be headed to the transfer portal since the middle of the 2023 season. The rumors are heavy again, but for different reasons; in 2023, it was for a lack of playing time, whereas this time around, it might be for a lack of fit in DeBoer’s system. The same may be true for Daniel Hill, who came to campus at 240 pounds and doesn’t seem to fit what DeBoer likes to do with running backs. DeBoer’s system seems to like its backs to have some size, but not too much, and puts an emphasis on field vision (which is one of Haynes’ weaknesses) and quickness out of the cut.
It’s for that reason that Kevin Riley has looked especially like a good fit the couple of times he’s gotten into games. We expect at least one of the Haynes-Young duo to leave, and perhaps Hill as well. The arrival of Akylin Dear is going to make any losses a lot easier to take, and we also think Alabama might go after a running back in the transfer portal. As for the walk-ons, both J.R. Gardner and Michael Lorino have played in multiple games, and Gardner in particular has some pop, so it wouldn’t surprise us to see both players make the roster. We think Gardner has a particularly good chance of it.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Departing 2024 Players: Kobe Prentice (portal), M.J. Chirgwin (walk-on), Kaleb Fleming (walk-on),
Players Eligible For NFL Draft: Germie Bernard (Sr.), Kendrick Law (Sr.), Emmanuel Henderson (Sr.)
Returning Players Not Eligible For NFL Draft: Cole Adams (So.), Ryan Williams (So.), Jalen Hale (So.), Jaren Hamilton (So.), Rico Scott (RFr.), Aeryn Hampton (RFr.), Caleb Odom (So.), Amari Jefferson (RFr.)
Walk-Ons on Current Roster: Jay Loper (Jr.), Colby Cruz (Sr.), Cooper Mollison (RFr.), Miguel Camboia (So.)
Incoming Players: Lotzeir Brooks, Derek Meadows
Possible Transfers Out: Hamilton, Hampton, Odom, Jefferson, Henderson
Analysis: There’s a lot going on at this position and Alabama is said to be looking to bring in at least one receiver with the potential to start, and possibly a second. Alabama’s receiver corps this year was basically Germie Bernard, Ryan Williams and a lot of spare parts. Cole Adams was on the cusp of becoming the first option at slot receiver before suffering multiple injuries, and eventually the coaches shut him down for the year in an abundance of caution. Kendrick Law, who ended up with the position, has yet to develop into a consistent option.
The name to watch is Jalen Hale, who was challenging for a starting job before suffering a leg injury in preseason camp. Provided his speed wasn’t affected, Hale has an excellent chance to take a spot away from Adams and Law. The other big question is whether Bernard will go to the NFL or not, as he came on strong late in the year and almost caught Ryan Williams in terms of production by the end of the regular season. There’s a lot that could happen with the second line of receivers, especially Emmanuel Henderson and Caleb Odom. If Odom sticks around, we think he moves back to tight end, not just because he looked like an ill fit at wideout but because the tight end spot is a bit thin. Henderson has plenty of size and speed but has had some issues with ball security after the catch. Rico Scott is probably the only one of the younger receivers besides Williams with a clear path to playing time. We’re not sure yet what to make of Hamilton, Hampton or Jefferson.
As for the newcomers, Lotzeir Brooks looks like the perfect slot receiver going forward, while tall Derek Meadows may get Odom’s snaps. The only walk-on that we think sticks is Jay Loper, who played in multiple games.
TIGHT ENDS
Departing 2024 Players: C.J. Dippre, Robbie Ouzts, Adam Thorsland (walk-on), Coby McNeal (walk-on)
Players Eligible For NFL Draft: Josh Cuevas (Sr.), Danny Lewis Jr. (Sr.)
Returning Players Not Eligible For NFL Draft: Ty Lockwood (So.), Jay Lindsey (RFr.)
Walk-Ons on Current Roster: Peyton Fox (Jr.)
Incoming Players: Kaleb Edwards, Marshall Pritchett
Possible Transfers Out: Lockwood, Lindsey
Analysis: This is another spot where Bama probably needs to look into the transfer portal. C.J. Dippre and Danny Lewis Jr. were the only two true Y-spot tight ends on the 2024 roster, so if Lewis were to get hurt in 2025 it would create an issue. Lewis and Cuevas are all but locked in as starters unless Alabama adds a true top-flight tight end. While we have Ty Lockwood and Jay Lindsey both on our list of possible transfers out, we expect both to stick, and to play key roles. For that matter, the one walk-on on the roster, Peyton Fox, played in multiple games in 2024 and not only do we expect him to make the roster for 2025, we expect him to get more playing time at H. Kaleb Edwards is probably ready to play as a true freshman but we think Marshall Pritchett will need a redshirt year.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Departing 2024 Players: Graham Roten (walk-on), Naquil Betrand (portal)
Players Eligible For NFL Draft: Tyler Booker (Sr.), Jaeden Roberts (Jr.), Elijah Pritchett (Jr.), Parker Brailsford (Jr.), Geno VanDeMark (Sr.)
Returning Players Not Eligible For NFL Draft: Kadyn Proctor (Jr.), Wilkin Formby (So.), Olaus Alinen (So.), Roq Montgomery (So.), Miles McVay (So.), Casey Poe (RFr.), Joe Ionata (RFr.), Will Sanders (RFr.)
Walk-Ons on Current Roster: Mac Smith (So.), Baker Hickman (So.), Billy Roby (So.), Davis Peterson (So.), Wade Estess (RFr.), Diego Camboia (RFr.), Jackson Howell (RFr.), J.D. Martin (RFr.)
Incoming Players: Michael Carroll, Micah Debose, Mal Waldrep, Jackson Lloyd
Possible Transfers Out: Montgomery, McVay, Alinen, Sanders, Pritchett
Analysis: We expect significant attrition here, starting with Tyler Booker going to the NFL Draft. Jaeden Roberts was probably planning on doing the same thing earlier in the year before multiple injuries; we still think he’s 50-50 on leaving. Parker Brailsford is also said to be considering it, but due to his smaller size we don’t think he’s a candidate for early entry to the NFL. As for RT Elijah Pritchett, he headlines a group of four players that are all candidates to look for better fits in different offensive schemes.
Alabama’s tackles must be quick-footed and athletic, and even Kadyn Proctor needs to continue to drop weight and work on his steps in order to stick at left tackle. As of this minute, we expect Proctor, Brailsford and Roberts to return, with Geno VanDeMark taking over for Booker. Alabama’s top portal priority is going to be to get at least one other offensive tackle ready to play immediately, perhaps to displace Pritchett as a starter, and if that happens – whether it’s in the early portal period or the post-spring period – we think Pritchett will leave.
Wilkin Formby, who started there early in the year, then lost the job to Pritchett, is pushing again for the spot and may have a future going forward as a swing guard-tackle. The other issue is depth, as we also think Alabama will lose McVay and Montgomery and perhaps Olaus Alinen as well. Casey Poe and Joe Ionata both look like long-term engagements but Will Sanders might not be. Alabama added four linemen in the early signing period, with at least three of them (Michael Carroll, Jackson Lloyd and Micah Debose) being potential candidates to play as freshmen.
Alabama will probably add a guard-center from the portal as well as 1-2 tackles, because if VanDeMark gets a starting role, Alabama really won’t have a backup center. If Brailsford leaves, a transfer center becomes a must-get. As for the walk-ons, none of them look like guarantees to make the roster, although Mac Smith and Baker Hickman both have the size for it.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Departing 2024 Players: Tim Smith, Jeheim Oatis (portal), Jah-Marien Latham, Quandarrius Robinson, Keanu Koht (portal)
Players Eligible For NFL Draft: Tim Keenan III (Sr.), Damon Payne Jr. (Sr.), L.T. Overton (Sr.)
Returning Players Not Eligible For NFL Draft: Qua Russaw (So.), Yhonzae Pierre (So.), Noah Carter (RFr.), Jayshawn Ross (RFr.), James Smith (Jr.), Hunter Osborne (So.), Isaia Faga (RFr.), Edric Hill (So.),
Jeremiah Beaman (RFr.), Jordan Renaud (So.), Keon Keeley (So.)
Walk-Ons on Current Roster: Lane Whisenhunt (So.)
Incoming Players: Kevonte Henry (Jr.), Steve Mboumoua (So.), London Simmons, Justin Hill
Possible Transfers Out: Osborne, Faga, Beaman, Keeley
Analysis: There’s a lot of good depth going out the door but as long as Alabama can keep the remaining second- and third-team players out of the transfer portal, this unit should be in decent shape in 2025. Both L.T. Overton and Tim Keenan III are said to be seriously considering jumping to the NFL Draft, and we expect Overton will go through with it.
We think Keenan will come back along with Damon Payne. Even if both Keenan and Payne return, Alabama needs to get a tackle out of the portal, because there’s a big drop-off from the top trio of Keenan, Payne and James Smith down to the next group, which is Edric Hill and Hunter Osborne. Bama has some options, including bulking Jordan Renaud up and moving him out of the Bandit end position, but if Overton goes to the draft, Renaud will have to stay at Bandit as Jah-Marien Latham’s eligibility has run out.
The other name to watch during portal season will be Keon Keeley, who came to campus as an edge rusher but has since outgrown the spot. JUCO transfers Kevonte Henry and Steve Mboumoua would be his primary competition for playing time.
LINEBACKERS
Departing 2024 Players: Justin Jefferson
Players Eligible For NFL Draft: Deontae Lawson (Sr.), Jihaad Campbell (Jr.), Jeremiah Alexander (Jr.)
Returning Players Not Eligible For NFL Draft: Cayden Jones (So.), Justin Okoronkwo (So.), Q.B. Reese (RFr.), Sterling Dixon (RFr.)
Walk-Ons on Current Roster: Noland Asberry (Sr.), Vito Perri (Jr.), Braylon Chatman (So.), John Thornton (So.), J.D. Baird (Jr.), Jake Ivie (So.), Aiden Moore (RFr.),
Incoming Players: Abduall Sanders, Luke Metz, Darrell Johnson
Possible Transfers Out: Alexander, Dixon
Analysis: It’s possible that Deontae Lawson’s knee injury might bring him back to Tuscaloosa for his senior season. Jihaad Campbell is all but gone to the NFL off the strength of a breakout 2024 year. With the loss to graduation of Justin Jefferson, that puts Alabama in a spot of not knowing what its ILB group will look like, especially if Lawson leaves. Cayden Jones, Justin Okoronkwo and Jeremiah Alexander were the next group up, with Sterling Dixon and Q.B. Reese behind them. Alabama is probably going to grab at least one ILB out of the portal, maybe two. If Lawson and Campbell both leave, look for Jones to start at one spot (absent the addition of a current starter from another team) with Okoronkwo at the other spot and Alexander either backing up or taking the portal out of town. Alabama is high on all three newcomers at the spot. As for the walk-ons, Noland Asberry looked like a scholarshipped player at times this past spring; the rest didn’t make a significant impact.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Departing 2024 Players: Malachi Moore, Jahlil Hurley (portal), Alijah May (walk-on)
Players Eligible For NFL Draft: Devonta Smith (Sr.), Domani Jackson (Sr.), Keon Sabb (Sr.), Bray Hubbard (Jr.), DaShawn Jones (Sr.)
Returning Players Not Eligible For NFL Draft: Zabien Brown (So.), Zavier Mincey (So.), Jaylen Mbakwe (So.), Rydarrius Morgan (So.), Kam Howard (Jr.), King Mack (Jr.), Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. (So.)
Walk-Ons on Current Roster: Kolby Peavy (So.), Chase Davis (Jr.), Peyton Yates (Jr.), Prince Butler (Jr.), Ryder Stewart (RFr.), Ty Roper (Jr.), Walter Sansing (So.), Conner Warhurst (So.), Griffin Hansen (RFr.), Cole Davis (RFr.)
Incoming Players: Dijon Lee Jr., Chuck McDonald, Ivan Taylor
Possible Transfers Out: Brown, Mincey, Mbakwe, Howard, Mack, Jones
Analysis: This unit has been the subject of a lot of crazy rumors toward the end of the year regarding potential transfers out, especially since all three of Alabama’s true freshmen cornerbacks have been named. This might prove to be a test of Alabama’s policy on overpaying for specific positions, because what has developed into a team strength might not stay that way for long.
For the record, we don’t think Alabama will lose any of them. We do, however, think it’s a good chance that at least one of three players who transferred to Alabama last year – King Mack, Kam Howard or DaShawn Jones – might transfer a second time. Alabama did such a good job developing depth in the secondary that it’s created a logjam at multiple spots. Some of that might be alleviated if CB Domani Jackson decides to head to the NFL a year early, or if Keon Sabb, who was expecting to be a one-and-done transfer prior to breaking his foot, opts to go; we think Sabb returns and Jackson is a 50-50 shot.
Alabama recruited well behind this group, getting two top-flight corners in Dijon Lee and Chuck McDonald and one of the best pure safeties in the class in Ivan Taylor. As for walk-ons, Kolby Peavy was brought up off the scout team when Sabb was hurt, and Chase Davis played ahead of Jahlil Hurley in the spring. We think both of those would make the 105 roster along with at least a couple of others.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Departing 2024 Players: PK Graham Nicholson, P/H James Burnip, LS Kneeland Hibbett, LS Kade Wehby (walk-on), PK Reid Schuback (walk-on), P Nick Serpa (walk-on)
Players Eligible For NFL Draft: None
Returning Players Not Eligible For NFL Draft: PK Conor Talty (So.)
Walk-Ons on Current Roster: P Anderson Green (RFr.), PK Tucker Cornelius (RFr.), LS Jay Williams (RFr.), LS Alex Rozier (Sr.)
Incoming Players: P Alex Asparuhov
Possible Transfers Out: None
Analysis: Alabama will literally replace every specialist it had on the roster. At placekicker, Conor Talty will get the job unless Bama can attract another player the caliber of Graham Nicholson, as it did last offseason. Incoming freshman Alex Asparuhov will be handed the punting job day one. We didn’t see any of Tucker Cornelius prior to games this year – Reid Schuback was the third kicker – but we did see P Anderson Green and at the moment, he’s a huge step down from James Burnip. Another punter, Nick Serpa, left eligibility on the table when he chose to graduate this year, so it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility that he returns to school in the fall as a graduate student; TE Adam Thorsland did it this year and actually got to play a bit. To our eye, Serpa was ahead of Green.
The other issues are holder and snapper. While WR Cole Adams has held before, most teams go with a punter at this spot now so that the specialists can all work together full-time. That would likely mean Asparuhov would be expected to take on that job from the get-go, as well. As for long-snapper, it will be a battle of walk-ons Jay Williams and Alex Rozier unless someone else comes to campus next fall. We expect all the walk-ons listed above to make the 105 roster if for no other reason than sheer depth concerns.
Follow Jess Nicholas on X at @TideFansJessN