Alabama faces massive pressure to lock in top transfer portal targets after key starter declares for the 2026 NFL Draft
Alabama lost its starting center, Parker Brailsford, after he declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, and now it must turn to the transfer portal to rebuild the majority of the offensive line.
The Alabama Crimson Tide is making moves in the offseason, and many changes are expected to take place to return to National Championship contention.
The offense will look a lot different next season with players going to the 2026 NFL Draft and others leaving the program via the transfer portal. Changes needed to happen, though, after seeing the struggles at the end of the season. The most important unit that will face an overhaul is the offensive line, and even moreso now with starting center Parker Brailsford declaring for the draft.
The pressure is now on for Alabama to hit the portal heavy and find its next starters to protect whoever is playing quarterback.
Center Parker Brailsford declares for the 2026 NFL Draft
Brailsford’s decision was a massive domino that people were waiting to fall, and the underclassman has decided to forego his senior season and enter his name in the 2026 NFL Draft. Brailsford came over from Washington with head coach Kalen DeBoer, and he stepped on campus as a leader on day one.
Alabama has to hit the portal for new starters on the offensive line
Alabama has already lost Wilkin Formby, Olaus Alinen, and Joseph Ionata to the transfer portal, and Jaeden Roberts is out of eligibility. We haven’t heard from Kadyn Proctor on his decision to enter the draft or return to Alabama, but it would be a shock if he came back. That means there will be a lot of new faces up front, and Alabama needs to bring in players who can be top contributors day one. I asked fellow A to Z Sports Alabama writer, Rob Gregson, for his thoughts on the overhaul of the offensive line.
“With all the turnover on Alabama’s offensive line, hitting the portal hard is a non-negotiable for the Crimson Tide. Alabama is experiencing losses at both tackle spots, but with the return of Michael Carroll, Alabama has at least one blue-chipper for 2026. The problem may be the interior of the line, especially with the departure of Parker Brailsford. He held down the fort at the center position and made a ton of checks in the pass game and plays as a blocker in the run game. Adding players like Kaden Strayhorn would help ensure that newly signed RB Hollywood Smothers has a runway to show how dynamic he can be for the Crimson Tide.” – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama
Alabama had Strayhorn on campus for a visit, and it’s important that it locks him in and earns his commitment. He already has ties to the team as a former high school teammate of Michael Carroll at IMG Academy, and he had Alabama in his top schools before committing to Michigan.
Alabama also had offensive tackle target Jimothy Lewis on campus as well, and he has experience at both left and right tackle, which is a major need right now, and even moreso if Carroll plays at RG next season. Lewis is a 6-6, 320-pound mammoth, and would be a literal huge get for the Crimson Tide. There will be a lot of new players on the offensive line, and this is just the start for Alabama, with many other possible targets out there.
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