Alabama Crimson Tide Transfer Portal Winners: Keelon Russell just received all you could hope for as an inexperienced quarterback

Here are the Alabama players who leave the transfer portal window as winners.

Josh Taylor, Rob Gregson
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While the Alabama Crimson Tide is still busy in terms of building its roster, the transfer portal window has closed, and anyone looking for a new home in 2026 has already entered their name into the sweepstakes.

Alabama had a fruitful couple of weeks when it came to the trenches, though the team did incur some unexpected losses and departures. Today, in the first of a two-part series, A to Z Sports Alabama contributor Josh Taylor and I look at which players and positions leave the portal window as the biggest winners.

Winner No. 1: Keelon Russell, QB

For all intents and purposes, let’s assume that Russell is the quarterback under center in 2026. Ty Simpson has officially declared for the NFL Draft, and while Austin Mack re-signed and could force a camp battle, the former 5-star clearly has a leg up in the competition.

Well, what does any quarterback, but certainly one preparing to make his first collegiate start, need? Protection. Alabama not only re-signed Michael Carroll but also added two of the top names in the portal along the offensive line, Ty Haywood and Kaden Strayhorn.

Alabama didn’t stop there, adding other key depth pieces like Nick Brooks and Racin Delgatty. With the return of wide receivers Lotzier Brooks and Ryan Williams, and a rebuilt front five, Russell has the surroundings to be successful in 2026.

Winner No. 2: Ezavier Crowell, RB

With Hollywood Smothers pulling a fast one on Alabama after committing and then signing with Texas, the door to see who will be running back No.1 come August is wide open. The 5-star freshman certainly has a clear path to attaining that role.

However, as we know, Alabama struggled to run the football with many of the returning reserves in 2026, and no one on the roster has shown the explosiveness that Crowell did out of high school.

Winner No. 3: Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE

Pierre is easily one of the biggest winners after seeing what Alabama did in the transfer portal because it looked thin at first with Keeley, Smith, and Russaw deciding to head elsewhere. Pierre coming back was perfect for Alabama, but it also allows Pierre to turn into a first-round prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft.

Adding guys like Thompkins, Green, Umeozulu, and others will allow Pierre to get those one-on-one matchups that he won at a high rate last season. The Crimson Tide needed to set the tone up front and apply pressure, and now it will be a balanced effort across the defensive front rather than relying on just Pierre.

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