Following a recent bowl game loss, several historic college football programs are experiencing significant roster changes due to player departures via the NCAA transfer portal.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Linebacker Jeremiah Alexander, a former top recruit, has entered the transfer portal after Alabama’s bowl loss to Michigan. Alexander is the 18th Crimson Tide player to seek transfer this season, indicating a notable shift in the team’s roster dynamics.
Oklahoma Sooners and Arkansas Razorbacks
Both programs are facing substantial roster turnovers, with each losing 30 players to the transfer portal during the winter window. This mass exodus reflects broader trends in college football, where player mobility is increasingly common, impacting team compositions and strategies.
Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have seen key players, including wide receiver Anthony Evans, enter the transfer portal. Evans’ departure underscores the challenges even top-tier programs face in retaining talent amid the evolving landscape of college football.
Marshall Thundering Herd
Marshall University withdrew from the Independence Bowl after a significant portion of its roster entered the transfer portal following a coaching change. The team deemed it lacked a sufficient roster to compete safely, leading to Louisiana Tech stepping in as a replacement.
West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers are facing a major rebuild as several players, including veteran offensive lineman Tomas Rimac and linebackers Josiah Trotter and Trey Lathan, have entered the transfer portal amidst the transition to new head coach Rich Rodriguez. This development poses significant challenges for the team’s future performance.
These developments highlight the dynamic nature of college football rosters in the current era, where the transfer portal plays a pivotal role in player movement and team restructuring.