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How every Alabama offseason transfer has performed so far this season
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- How every Alabama offseason transfer has performed so far this season
This past offseason, the Alabama Crimson Tide saw a little over 20 players depart Tuscaloosa via the NCAA transfer portal.
When taking a look at that list of players, there were a few starters from a year ago included in that group, as well as multiple prominent backups. This came on both sides of the ball, with some considered among college football's top transfers at the time during the offseason.
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With the college football season now set to enter Week 9, which of those transfers have since gone on to make an impact with their respective new teams, and are any having breakout seasons?
Let's revisit the offensive and defensive players who transferred from Alabama over the offseason to see how each has performed so far during the 2026 season.
Richard Young, Running Back - Colorado Buffaloes
Sep 12, 2026; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Richard Young (9) carries the ball in the second half against the Weber State Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Young has seen action in only four games this season at Colorado, doing so in a similar backup role to what he had while at Alabama. Across those four games, Young has 16 carries for 49 yards.
Isaiah Horton, Wide Receiver - Texas A&M Aggies
Sep 5, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Isaiah Horton (7) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Missouri State Bears at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
A player who the Crimson Tide faced just this past weekend , Horton transferred to Texas A&M after a 2025 season where he was one of Alabama's top wideouts. Horton has continued that success in College Station where he is the Aggies' leading receiver over eight games, hauling in 23 receptions for 314 yards and three touchdowns. The wide receiver also has two punt returns for eight yards.
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Jalen Hale, Wide Receiver - SMU Mustangs
Oct 17, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs wide receiver Jalen Hale (2) runs for a touchdown against the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
After not recording any stats at Alabama a year ago in his return from injury, Hale is now enjoying a career-year with the Mustangs. Across seven games, Hale has 13 receptions for 242 yards and two touchdowns, along with three rushes for seven yards.
Cole Adams, Wide Receiver - Vanderbilt Commodores
A player Alabama will face in the coming weeks, Adams is currently in a similar role at Vanderbilt to what he did last season with the Crimson Tide. Adams has five receptions for 58 yards across eight games, along with a punt return for 11 yards. The wideout also has one kick return for six yards.
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Aeryn Hampton, Wide Receiver - Oregon State Beavers
Sep 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Aeryn Hampton (7) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Hampton followed former Alabama wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard to Oregon State during the offseason where he is enjoying a breakout season. Across seven games, Hampton has 21 receptions for 245 yards and one touchdown, as well as a tackle defensively.
Wilkin Formby, Offensive Line - Texas A&M Aggies
Sep 5, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Wilkin Formby (75) blocks as Missouri State Bears defensive end Jalile Elliott (10) defends during the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
After starting for the Crimson Tide a year ago, Formby transferred during the offseason to Texas A&M. Formby is a starter once again in 2026 for the Aggies.
Olaus Alinen, Offensive Line - Kentucky Wildcats
Sep 5, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats offensive lineman Olaus Alinen (73) blocks Youngstown State Penguins linebacker Michael Wells (3) during the first quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-Imagn Images
Alinen is enjoying a breakout season in 2026 at Kentucky after transferring from Alabama. The offensive lineman is a starter for the Wildcats this fall.
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Micah DeBose, Offensive Line - Vanderbilt Commodores
DeBose transferred within the SEC to Vanderbilt over the offseason. The Alabama transfer has been a backup so far in 2026.
Roq Montgomery, Offensive Line - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Montgomery transferred to Western Kentucky following multiple seasons in Tuscaloosa. The former Tide transfer is primarily a backup for the Hilltoppers.
James Smith, Defensive Tackle - Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman James Smith (3) tackles Ball State Cardinals running back TJ Horton (4) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Sept. 5, 2026.
After two seasons as a starter in Tuscaloosa, Smith was a high-profile offseason transfer who ended up joining the Buckeyes. Smith has seen action in seven games this season where he has posted eight tackles, one TFL, and one pass defense.
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Kelby Collins, Defensive Tackle - South Carolina Gamecocks
After one season at Alabama, Collins is potentially on his way to a career-year at South Carolina. Over seven games, Collins has 17 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and one pass defense with the Gamecocks.
Noah Carter, Edge Rusher - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
A backup in Tuscaloosa for two seasons, Carter transferred to Georgia Tech where he is enjoying a breakout season with the Yellow Jackets. Across four games, Carter has posted multiple career-high's with 12 tackles, 4.5 TFL, three sacks, and one forced fumble.
Qua Russaw, Edge Rusher - Ohio State Buckeyes
Oct 10, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Qua Russaw (4) prepares to tackle Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. (13) during the third quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Russaw was also another high-profile Alabama offseason transfer to Ohio State alongside Smith. The edge rusher has appeared in six games for the Buckeyes this season where he has 14 tackles, 3.5 TFL, and one sack.
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Keon Keeley, Edge Rusher - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The former top recruit transferred to Notre Dame after a breakout 2025 campaign with the Crimson Tide, and has since appeared in seven games this season. Keeley has eight tackles and two pass defenses this season.
Jordan Renaud, Edge Rusher - Ole Miss Rebels
Transferring within the SEC to Ole Miss, Renaud has played a similar role in Oxford this fall compared to recent years at Alabama. Across seven games, Renaud has six tackles, two TFL, and one sack with the Rebels.
Cam Calhoun, Cornerback - Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Earl Little Jr. (1) celebrates with defensive back Cam Calhoun (18) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 10, 2026.
Calhoun is the third Alabama transfer from this past offseason suiting up for the Ohio State defense this fall. The cornerback has appeared in seven games this season with the Buckeyes, making seven tackles with one pass defense.
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Jaylen Mbakwe, Cornerback - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
After spending 2025 as a wide receiver at Alabama, Mbakwe has switched back to the defensive side of the ball at Georgia Tech where he has played in five games at cornerback. Mbakwe has eight tackles and a pass defense this season.
Kameron Howard, Safety - Boston College Eagles
Howard did not see much action at Alabama the last two years, transferring to Boston College this past offseason. The safety has one tackle over seven games this season.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: How every Alabama offseason transfer has performed so far this season
