UPDATE: How many more transfers will Kalen DeBoer take, according to Alabama football?

In his first summer as Alabama Football’s coach, Kalen DeBoer has been forced to assemble his team in an unconventional manner. Coach Nick Saban’s abrupt departure combined with the unpredictability of the NCAA transfer portal meant that, despite the roster’s apparent potential, DeBoer was left with several shortcomings.

DeBoer has already used the site more than Coach Saban did during his tenure at Alabama in retaliation. The Tide already has eight transfers signed for the 2024 season, and coach Saban never brought in more than five in one offseason.
Of course, three of these commitments were made to the Crimson Tide when Saban was still leading the team. In December, three former players—LT Overton, an offensive lineman from Texas A&M, Naquil Betrand, an offensive lineman from Texas A&M, and Domani Jackson, a cornerback from USC—committed to Alabama. This may indicate that Saban intended to establish a new record anyhow, but DeBoer had little option except to forcefully enter the portal.

Since Coach DeBoer took over, the Crimson Tide has added five transfers, including four of his old Washington teammates: tight end Josh Cuevas, wide receiver Germie Bernard, center Parker Brailsford, and quarterback Austin Mack. Former Michigan safety Keon Sabb is the fifth portal commit, and he is a much-needed addition to the Alabama secondary.

In 2024, how many more transfers can we anticipate Kalen DeBoer making?
Coach DeBoer has plenty of leeway to add talent to Alabama’s 2024 roster with 30 outbound transfers. It will be fascinating to observe the post-spring transfer portal window since it will be DeBoer’s first real chance to retaliate on the portal. Only transfers from the few other programs that are dealing with head coaching changes have he been able to take into consideration thus far.

Coach DeBoer doesn’t seem to be the kind to pursue well-known transfers who don’t mesh with his team dynamic or who might cause trouble in the locker room. Coach Saban was also unfamiliar with this approach, which is gaining traction and was used this offseason by schools like Ole Miss and Ohio State. Because of this, I don’t think Alabama will spend April removing famous players from prestigious programs, despite the fervent demands of the fan base for transfer portal retribution.

Rather, I anticipate Coach DeBoer and his staff to carry on with their current approach of conducting due diligence and identifying great players who suit the program at areas of need.

Coach DeBoer doesn’t seem to be the kind to pursue well-known transfers who don’t mesh with his team dynamic or who might cause trouble in the locker room. Coach Saban was also unfamiliar with this approach, which is gaining traction and was used this offseason by schools like Ole Miss and Ohio State. Because of this, I don’t think Alabama will spend April removing famous players from prestigious programs, despite the fervent demands of the fan base for transfer portal retribution.

Rather, I anticipate Coach DeBoer and his staff to carry on with their current approach of conducting due diligence and identifying great players who suit the program at areas of need.

Coach DeBoer may have the difficult challenge of identifying transfers who are prepared to start at some of the most hard positions on the field if the young guns aren’t ready.

DeBoer has addressed all inquiries about his capacity to combine talent thus far, and he has given no cause for future doubts about his judgment. This team, in my opinion, is only a few components away from challenging for a national championship right away in Kalen DeBoer’s first season.

He should be relied upon to make the right decisions and field a competitive team this autumn, unless he shows differently.