Alabama cannot afford a repeat of its 2025 Transfer Portal haul during this cycle. Kalen DeBoer and GM Courtney Morgan have preferred to continue recruiting through the high school ranks while supplementing through the portal. Unfortunately, that appears to be a losing strategy in today's college football world.
Alabama's high school recruiting has been strong, and that should continue. But a bigger focus on the portal is needed moving forward. Alabama has to open up the checkbook and get some immediate difference-makers.
They've shown more of a willingness to do that in the early goings of the 2026 portal cycle than a year ago.