As the transfer portal remains open through Jan. 16, Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama is facing some key departures that can impact the Crimson Tide’s performance next season. However, these losses were anticipated, with the portal opening just a day after Alabama fell 38-3Â to Indiana in the College Football Playoff’s Rose Bowl semifinal.
Transfer Portal Fallout Sparks Warning From Former Alabama Linebacker
Alabama has seen heavy roster turnover during the 2026 transfer portal window, with more than 20 players entering the portal to this point. The blow saw the PFSN’s CFB Offense Metrics’ No. 30 team lose its leading wide receiver, Isaiah Horton, who led Alabama in touchdown catches last season, with eight. Alabama also lost defensive lineman James Smith, who recorded 26 tackles and 2.5 sacks during the year.
Former Alabama linebacker Christian Miller shared his candid thoughts on the situation of his alma mater.
“Listen, we’re doing about what I expected,” Miller said on his “The Miller’s Edge” podcast on Sunday. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. Yes, we need more. But here’s the thing. Alabama is not looking to pay what these other schools are paying. And that’s what I was trying to politely say. I think, and when it comes to these guys that are going to be charging a premium, we’re not really going to be in the running with that.
“That’s just never been who we are. That’s never been our philosophy. Now, I was curious if we might see a little bit of that shift since we’ve had a number of guys leaving. What happens there? You open up some money. You got a little more cheese in your pocket that you can go spend. You got to make these decisions on where you want to put your money. And we’ve never been the school to just be handing out these checks like that.”
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Besides Horton and Formby, Alabama has also lost wide receiver Aeryn “Bubba” Hampton, defensive back Kameron Howard, offensive lineman Roq Montgomery, running back Richard Young, and wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe.
Other departures include center Joseph Ionata, wide receiver Jalen Hale, offensive lineman Olaus Alinen, linebacker Noah Carter, offensive lineman Micah DeBose, wide receiver Cole Adams, defensive lineman Keon Keeley, defensive back Cam Calhoun, linebacker Qua Russaw, defensive lineman Kelby Collins, and offensive lineman Arkel Anugwom.
Meanwhile, former NC State running back Hollywood Smothers, who committed to Alabama through the transfer portal on Jan. 5, flipped his commitment to Texas. Miller pointed to Smothers’ flip as a preventable internal error, tweeting that allowing him to leave campus without a signed NIL agreement and relying solely on a “verbal” commitment was a major mistake.
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Alabama was also in the race to land in-state wide receiver and former Auburn star Cam Coleman, but he ultimately chose to commit to Steve Sarkisian’s Texas on Sunday.
Following the string of portal setbacks, Miller offered a message to Alabama fans.
“I’ve been trying to warn Alabama fans to adjust their expectations. Not to be negative, but to give you guys the truth. We have resources, but not at the level as some of these other programs. Plus, we’ve always had a more conservative approach. Just the reality of it.”
However, Alabama has also boosted its 2026 roster with several notable transfer additions, including offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn from Michigan, tight end Josh Ford from Oklahoma State, defensive lineman Devan Thompkins from USC, punter Adam Watford from North Alabama, defensive back Carmelo O’Neal from Mercer, linebacker Caleb Woodson from Virginia Tech, and defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones from Mississippi State.
