ATLANTA – The heyday of Alabama football was before Nick Saban arrived. The Crimson Tide will likely get more of those in the future now that Saban is gone. It’s just not going to happen in 2024. It was inevitable that Bama would go through a difficult transition when Saban decided to retire. Now this reality hits Vuorov in the face. Sabanand’s retirement on Jan. 10 led to a large exodus of players from Alabama’s roster and recruiting
It happens in every school, especially after training change. If there was hope in Tuscaloosa that the brand and resources of Alabama would make the program immune to those forces, the onslaught of players immediately broke that optimism. The number and quality of players leaving Bama is striking. As of Friday afternoon, 15 Alabama players had either entered their names into the portal or announced their desire to transfer. Sabanand’s successor, Kalen DeBoer, will be left to clean up the mess. andquot;You really don’t like it,andquot; Alabama athletic director Greg Byne said on andquot;The Paul Finebaum Showandquot; SEC Online. andquot;You don’t like it for the team. Alabama is such a special place.
The investment we make in young men and women in terms of our sport…is as good as anywhere in the country.andquot; The money Alabama spends on football is better than almost anywhere in the country. Byrne said a player retention plan is in place in case Saban decides to opt out. Athletics staff were tasked with calling and selling to groups of players if they would stay. Saban, who serves as an adviser to the program, also reassured them, Byrne said.
Those initiatives didn’t stop several good Alabama players from choosing to play elsewhere. Some announced their decision before DeBoer was hired. Most did as Byrne asked and waited for him to hire a new coach. It didn’t take long for some prominent Crimson Tide players to decide they didn’t want to stick around for DeBoer. Safety Caleb Downs started 14 games for Alabama in 2023, led the team in tackles and was named SEC Freshman of the Year by the league and coaches
. According to ESPN, he is reportedly transferring to Ohio State. Offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor started at tackle as a freshman. 247Sports Projects goes to Iowa, which has a long history of developing NFL-caliber linemen. The head of Alabama’s 2023 receiving corps, Isaiah Bond, is headed to Texas. Julian Sayin, the top quarterback in the class of 2024, has decided to leave Bama and is projected by 247Sports to Ohio State. (His decision may have something to do with DeBoer bringing in QB Austin Mack from Washington.) Five of the top 100 recruits in the class of 2025 who have announced they will play at Bama said they are looking elsewhere. now that Saban is gone
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