Alabama coordinators speak on incoming transfers ahead of ReliaQuest Bowl.. Read more

Alabama coordinators speak on incoming transfers ahead of ReliaQuest Bowl.. Read more

14 hours ago WVUA 23 Sports

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Football helmets hang on the rack prior to practice at Thomas-Drew Practice Fields in Tuscaloosa, AL on Monday, Apr 10, 2023.

By WVUA 23 Sports Reporter Theodore Fernandez

The transfer portal has been as active as ever through this winter cycle. As Alabama prepares for its ReliaQuest Bowl game against Michigan, part of the staff’s focus is on securing impact players for the 2025 season. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan both spoke about some of the players the Crimson Tide has already added.

With multiple linebackers leaving this offseason, Alabama landed Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green. Hill-Green was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection, recording 82 tackles with 11.5 tackles for a loss.

“Excited about Nikhai coming with our program, and, you know, here’s a guy with a lot of experience. He’s played a lot of snaps,” Wommack said. “When you got him in there and had meetings with him and talked ball with him during his official visit, it was very evident how smart of a football player he was, how good of a communicator he’s going to be. And so, for us, having that experience with a group of guys that, you know, a lot of reps that we’re losing out of that room—and a lot of mental reps—I think him and his experience is going to be critical for us moving forward.”

Hill-Green is entering his fifth and final year of eligibility. He also previously played at Michigan and Charlotte.

Hill-Green isn’t the only player coming in from the Big 12. Standout cornerback Cam Calhoun will be coming to Tuscaloosa after a very solid freshman season with Utah where he recorded 21 tackles, an interception, and nine breakups.

“You always look at the experience value out of the transfer portal, and I think that’s where we’re addressing some needs from an experience standpoint,” Wommack said. “He’s a guy that can play multiple positions. He can do a lot of different things. He’s shown physicality, he’s long and he looks like our guys. And, quite honestly, one of the things I’ve realized that we have to navigate here in the transfer portal is finding young men who believe they can play at Alabama. More often than not, there are a number of guys who are excited about it, interested in it, but when the rubber meets the road, they don’t think they can play here, and so they choose not to come, which is okay. If you don’t think you can play here, then you shouldn’t come play at Alabama. Cam walked in the door with a mentality that he belonged at Alabama, and to me, those are the guys who will be successful here.”

Alabama’s secondary may look very different in 2025, with Domani Jackson likely to enter the NFL Draft and Jaylen Mbakwe potentially shifting over to wide receiver.

The Crimson Tide’s receiving core was interesting in 2024. Ryan Williams was nothing short of spectacular and Germie Bernard was a consistent target, but players such as Kendrick Law failed to find a rhythm in the offense. Former five-star Jalen Hale will be back after missing the entire season with an injury and Mbakwe does appear poised to get at least some snaps on offense next year, but the most significant development is the addition of Miami transfer Isaiah Horton.

“We’re always trying to add quality players to our roster. Guys that add competition, guys that have experience, guys that have the right mindset and attitude,” Sheridan said. “Not just him specifically, but all the people we bring into our program, you’re looking for those things. We’re certainly excited about him and the other guys we added. Obviously you’re looking for a variety of skillsets at that position. Certainly catch radius is always something, and different guys present that skill in different ways. Guys that can separate and get open in their own unique style, guys that can make contested catches, guys that can do something with the football, whether you’re big or small those are things that are important at that position. Certainly he’s displayed that.”

Horton caught 56 passes for 616 yards with five touchdowns while playing with Heisman finalist QB Cam Ward. He was one of the top ranked wideouts in the portal and should be one of the top targets for Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, Austin Mack, or whoever is under center in 2025.

Categories: Alabama, College Sports, Featured, Sports

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Alabama coordinators speak on incoming transfers ahead of ReliaQuest Bowl.. Read more

Alabama coordinators speak on incoming transfers ahead of ReliaQuest Bowl.. Read more

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