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The Tuscaloosa News
What I'm hearing about Alabama football roster changes: Who's staying, going
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- What I'm hearing about Alabama football roster changes: Who's staying, going
Transfer portal season is in full swing for Alabama football.
Decisions are being made. Conversations are being had. And there's plenty to track.
Now that the Alabama football season has ended for 2023 after the Rose Bowl, The Tuscaloosa News is working the phones with people in the know and keeping tabs on how the 2024 Alabama football roster is coming together.
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The situation is almost always fluid, so check back for updates on this page. In the world of the transfer portal and the wildcard that is NIL money, a player can be staying one day and leaving the next or vice versa.
Here are some of the things we have heard.
ROSE BOWL: What happened to Alabama football defense late vs. Michigan? 'We didn't finish'
TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER: Alabama football transfer portal tracker: Roster changes ahead of 2024 season
Latest on Jase McClellan future: Evening of Jan. 6
As of Saturday night, McClellan, Alabama 's starting running back in 2023, is expected to declare for the NFL Draft, sources have told The Tuscaloosa News. An official announcement is likely to be made soon. McClellan is a senior, but he could use one more year of eligibility if he wanted. Alabama has a crowded backfield, though, and McClellan already has a good amount of college tape for NFL scouts to see.
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Thoughts on running backs with Roydell Williams departure: Afternoon of Jan. 5
Senior running back Roydell Williams just put his name in the transfer portal, The Tuscaloosa News has learned. So that's one change we know of to the backfield from this season. It makes sense, though, considering what Alabama has back at the position. If you want to be able to keep young, talented guys such as Justice Haynes and Jam Miller, there has to be opportunity and snaps available. So it's not shocking that at least one of the older players is moving on. The question as of Friday at about 3:15 p.m. CT is what will Jase McClellan do? He was Alabama's starter in 2023, and he's fresh off a strong game vs. Michigan . He could go to the NFL; he's a senior, so he's eligible. But he could also come back to Alabama. Or, he could join Williams in the portal. With a variety of options, McClellan's path is unclear as of late this week as for what he plans to do.
CJ Dippre update: Jan. 4
Alabama starting tight end CJ Dippre is expected to stay for his senior season, The Tuscaloosa News has learned. He transferred to Alabama from Maryland ahead of the 2023 season. He was used primarily for his blocking but also caught 11 passes for 187 yards over 14 games. Dippre played the most snaps of any tight end with 524 this past season, per Pro Football Focus. The next closest was Robbie Ouzts with 370. Having him back is significant considering he is a veteran and a physical player. As a senior in his second year with the program, Dippre should have a chance to play even more of a leadership role in 2024.
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Who's next with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold going to NFL Draft?
Alabama needs two new starting cornerbacks. Trey Amos has a good shot at being one of them. Here's what secondary coach Travaris Robinson told The Tuscaloosa News in Pasadena about Amos: "A guy who's very intelligent, a guy who's very athletic. He's definitely the future. He has a chance to be really, really good." No spot is given in the secondary, and Robinson reminded me of that in another part of our conversation, but the way Robinson talked about him, you have to think Amos is in a good position to start at one spot. He played well when he filled in at times during the 2023 season, too.
The other outside cornerback spot could go to a guy such as USC transfer Domani Jackson . But Alabama also has some intriguing young options. Dezz Ricks is a former five-star prospect who now has a season under his belt. There's Jahlil Hurley, too. Antonio Kite is another option. Plus, there are some talented incoming freshman like Jaylen Mbakwe and Zabien Brown who will be added to the mix, too.
Some thoughts on edge defender position: Jan. 4
With Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell off to the NFL, Alabama has to fill two starting spots and it won't be easy. But some good pieces are in place on the roster. The sense I get is the group of young edge rushers have shown plenty of promise, and that makes sense considering there are two former five-stars in Keon Keeley and Yhonzae Pierre in the room as well as a guy like four-star Qua Russaw. There's also a veteran like Quandarrius Robinson who could land one of the starting spots. Despite all the talent and upside, there's not much starting experience among that group, though. So Alabama could still try to add a veteran from the transfer portal. But that really just depends on who/what is out there.
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Malachi Moore update: Morning of Jan. 4
Things can always change, but as it stands Thursday morning, the veteran defensive back is trending toward coming back for another season. He was a senior this year, but he has remaining eligibility. And his NFL Draft stock would probably be helped by another season. Secondary coach Travaris Robinson told The Tuscaloosa News at the Rose Bowl that Moore is "the smartest guy on the team." If Moore returns, that would give Alabama a veteran leader for not only the secondary but also the team.
A general update: Morning of Jan. 4
As of Thursday, it sounds like many decisions are still being made. It's amazing some of the rumors that fly in this world of NIL and the transfer portal. Keeping rosters intact seems to be harder than ever across college football. Look no further than Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins intending to enter the portal. Each situation is unique, though, and for one player it could be NIL related while another it could be about system and role in the offense or defense. All that to say, there are far more uncertainties than certainties. But some departures are necessary as Alabama looks to get under the scholarship limit.
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Seth McLaughlin lines up a few visits: Jan. 4 update
The former Alabama center is already being highly sought after by some big programs. He's got an Ohio State visit scheduled this weekend and he is expected to visit Ole Miss next weekend, The Tuscaloosa News has learned.
Ty Simpson expected to stay as of Wednesday afternoon
As of Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. CT, word is that Simpson is expected to be back with the Crimson Tide in 2024. He served as Alabama's primary backup at quarterback and if he is indeed staying, that means Alabama is set to have its two top quarterbacks returning for the 2024 season. Jalen Milroe already announced he will be back after starting most of 2023. Alabama also has Dylan Lonergan and Julian Sayin on the roster. Eli Holstein decided to enter the transfer portal after he did not play his freshman season in 2023. Word is that Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is a Simpson fan, which makes sense considering he recruited Simpson when Rees was at Notre Dame.
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Seth McLaughlin to enter the transfer portal
The Tuscaloosa News can report McLaughlin as of Wednesday entered the portal after starting all season at center. He met with coach Nick Saban on Wednesday afternoon to inform him of the decision. If McLaughlin doesn't find what he's looking for in the portal, going to the NFL could be an option for him, even if as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent. Even though McLaughlin is well liked at Alabama, a fresh start in a different system probably makes sense for him after Alabama experienced snapping inconsistencies in 2023. Otherwise, in 2021 and 2022, McLaughlin didn't have any snapping issues, so he could be a valuable veteran addition for a program. But it probably makes sense he and Alabama part ways, even without a clear replacement for him at the position on the roster right now.
Alabama players who entered transfer portal on Jan. 3 includes starting receiver Malik Benson
The names officially entered into the transfer portal as of 3:21 p.m. CT on Wednesday are defensive back Earl Little II, Malik Benson, Kristian Story, Eli Holstein, Seth McLaughlin, Miles Kitselman and Terrence Ferguson.
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Benson leaving is noteworthy after he was a starting receiver for much of the 2023 season. The JUCO transfer had plenty of buzz around him entering the season, but he never was used much as a pass catcher. Benson finished the season with 13 receptions for 162 yards and 1 touchdown.
Dallas Turner first known player from 2023 to declare for NFL Draft
Turner told The Tuscaloosa News after the Rose Bowl that "I'm gone" when asked about his future. The edge rusher is expected to be a first-round NFL Draft pick in 2024.
He finished the season with 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and 53 tackles. Over his career, Turner has registered 22.5 sacks. He played in three College Football Playoff games, one being the 2021 national championship loss to Georgia. "I look back, and I enjoyed all the times I had with my guys on and off the field," Turner said.
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Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football roster 2024: What I'm hearing
