How Things Have Shifted for Alabama: From Panic to Progress
Just six days ago, Alabama fans were in full panic mode, reeling from the departure of over a dozen players to the transfer portal. But it turns out, this mass exodus wasn’t unique to Alabama, as other programs faced similar challenges. After giving things some time to settle, Alabama is now shifting the narrative. The Tide are starting to land new recruits, signaling a positive turn as they close in on key players for the upcoming season.
Yesterday marked a significant milestone for the Crimson Tide, with three highly sought-after players committing to join Coach Kalen DeBoer’s squad for next year.
Kam Dewberry (OL)
First up is offensive lineman Kam Dewberry, a transfer from Texas A&M. Dewberry earned Freshman All-American honors in 2022 and has been a versatile lineman, playing over 600 snaps and moving between both guard spots in his two seasons with the Aggies. At 6’4″ and 330 pounds, Dewberry is a massive presence on the line, comparable to the departing Tyler Booker. A former top-100 recruit, Dewberry brings three years of experience from one of the top college football programs, and the coaching staff likely sees him as Booker’s replacement next year.
Isaiah Horton (WR)
Next, Alabama added wide receiver Isaiah Horton, a 6’3″ playmaker from Miami. Horton had an impressive season for the Hurricanes in 2023, with 56 catches for 616 yards and 5 touchdowns. Horton’s size and skill set will add a different dimension to Alabama’s receiving corps, complementing players like Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard. While Williams and Bernard excel in the slot and with the ball in hand, Horton will bring a strong sideline and end zone presence. His experience should make him a key contributor alongside Williams and Bernard in the upcoming season.
Nikhai Hill-Green (LB)
The final big commitment came from linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green. A product of St. Frances High School in Maryland, Hill-Green has had quite the journey. He spent three years with Michigan, transferred to Charlotte, and then moved on to Colorado, where he had a breakout season under Deion Sanders, earning 2nd-team All-Big 12 honors. Hill-Green has shown steady improvement over the years, becoming a standout performer with 12 tackles for loss and a couple of interceptions in 2023. Now a fifth-year player with multiple All-Conference selections, he brings valuable experience to Alabama’s linebacker room, especially as the team loses key players like Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson to the NFL. Hill-Green may not be a full-time starter, but his leadership and experience will be a crucial asset in the linebacker rotation.
In addition to these three key commitments, Alabama also secured a defensive lineman, Kelby Collins, from Florida, and a depth cornerback, Cam Calhoun, from Utah, earlier in the week. It’s been an eventful and successful period for the Tide, as they’ve filled important roster spots with experienced players.
Looking ahead, Alabama is still likely on the lookout for one more defensive back to add depth, possibly as a starter. However, the Tide’s first wave of transfers has already significantly upgraded key positions for 2025.
It’s been a huge week for Alabama, and as always—Roll Tide!
Leave a Reply