Alabama football: Latest transfer portal news, NFL updates

Happy Monday, everyone. Not too much going on today, but here’s what we have. Unfortunately, this year’s bowl game doesn’t have much on the line.

This year’s bowl meeting between Alabama (9-3) and Michigan (7-5) is more of the traditional “consolation” variety, with neither team advancing to major honors. And it’s not the first time the Crimson Tide has faced the same team in consecutive bowl games.

On three previous occasions – once in the 1960s, once in the 1970s and once in the last decade – Alabama has had a “rematch”. But in all of those cases, the national championship — or at least the perception of who was the nation’s best team — was at stake for at least one of the competitors.

Devonta Smith, the defensive back, has entered the portal.

Smith was a four-star recruit in 2021 from Cincinnati, Ohio who played mostly on special teams his first two seasons. He missed most of the 2023 season with a foot injury before returning for the final four games and redshirting. Smith started every game this season except South Carolinaas Alabama began the game in a rare four-defensive back formation instead of five.

Smith will be Alabama’s 13. transfer portal enter this cycle. The transfer portal officially opened to students on Monday and will remain open until Dec. 28, or five days after a team’s final postseason game. Candidates can access the portal at any time.

This was a bit of a head scratcher since he started, but Charlie Potter reported that Devonta is going to be a father soon as his girlfriend, who still lives in Cincinnati, is expecting to give birth soon.

Dylan Lonergan may very well end up in Georgia.

Lonergan was a four-star recruit from Snellville, Georgia. He was ranked no. 13 quarterback in the class of 2023 and The Bulldogs recruited himbut he chose Crimson Tide.

In 2024 with the Crimson Tide, he threw for 23 yards on five completions and ran for sixteen yards. But with Alabama apparently going with five-star Ty Thompson to replace Jalen MilroeLonergan decided to transfer.

He announced his decision after Alabama missed the College Football Playoff. Lonergan will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Lonergan clearly didn’t think the QB competition was likely to break his way, or he would have stayed through spring practice to see where things stand. Good luck to him.

Chris Low has a sobering update on the state of affairs.

Jahlil Hurley found a home.

Hurley announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal before Alabama was told it would not make the College Football Playoff. Others have since joined himincluding defensive back DeVonta Smith, running back Justice Haynes and receiver Kendrick Law, among others. Hurley joins Keanu Koht (Vanderbilt) as former Alabama players who have already found new homes.

Finally, it was a good day for Alabama players in the NFL. Patrick Surtain had a pick himself, Brian Branch had 15 tackles and Will Anderson committed this Bama on Bama offense.

Touchdown scorers included Jameson Williams, DeVonta Smith, Josh Jacobs and… Jonah Williams?

Bama player forced fumble, Bama player recovers fumble. Alabama owns that league.

That was it for today. Have a good week.

Roll Tide.