Losses keep coming from Alabama, this time on their roster.
Following the Crimson Tide’s 33-18 loss to Georgia in the college football championship game on Monday, multiple players entered the transfer portal, according to 247Sports’ Charlie Potter. Players on the transfer portal include quarterback Paul Tyson, great-grandson of Hall of Fame coach Bear Bryant, offensive lineman Tommy Brown, tight end Jahleel Billingsley, linebacker King Mwikuta and former five-star linebacker Drew. Sanders.
Potter noted that other Crimson Tide players could also try the transfer portal.
Of the five transfers, only two were significant contributors. Billingsley combined for 35 receptions, 543 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns in 2020 and 2021. But Billingsley started the season in Nick Saban’s kennel, not starting against Miami in the season opener.
“We are just trying to make Jahleel a very responsible and disciplined person, as well as a responsible and disciplined player,” Saban said before that game. “How that happens is up to him and his choice.”
Cameron Latu, junior, led all tight ends with 26 receptions for 410 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021.
Sanders’ entry into the portal is a bit more surprising, as he is likely to have a bigger role in 2022. The sophomore, rated the 22nd overall player in the class of 2020, played in 15 games combined in the past two seasons, combining for 33 tackles, 1.5 a loss and one sack.
Sanders, the top-rated athlete in the 2020 class who chose to play linebacker for Tide, missed considerable playing time in 2021 with a hand and wrist injury. His absence allowed freshman Dallas Turner to make his presence felt; He made the most of his opportunity, having 8.5 sacks in the last seven games of the year, including two against Georgia.
Tyson played in 11 games behind 2021 Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young. The former four-star prospect completed 10 of 16 passes for 150 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions in limited playing time. Freshman Jalen Milroe, third on the Crimson Tide depth chart, played in five games, completing 3 of 7 passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. He also added 15 runs for 57 yards.