Alabama Crimson Tide solidifies its defensive backfield for 2026 following underrated transfer portal addition and key re-signing
Alabama’s DB room looks to be in good shape for 2026.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has less than a week before the winter transfer portal closes. So far, the Tide has seen plenty of departures, but there have been a couple of big additions along the way with Devan Thompkins and Hollywood Smothers.
The one area of the team that was in good shape before the portal was the CB room. Key starters like Dijon Lee and Zabien Brown will be back, and, per Saturday’s news, they will be joined by their teammate from 2025 and a new face from a smaller school.
Red Morgan re-signs with Alabama
Red Morgan was the starting nickel or star down the stretch for Alabama in 2025, and his return signals that it will be the same in 2026.
Morgan totaled 25 tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup in 2025 for the Crimson Tide. His return shows that Alabama will have every one of its starting trio at the cornerback position with Lee, Brown, and Morgan all back. Oh, and they will have a newcomer to provide depth.
Mercer DB Carmerlo O’Neal transfers to Alabama
I asked our resident college football and NFL Draft insider, Ryan Roberts, about O’Neal, and here’s what he had to say:
“O’Neal is an extremely versatile safety that Mercer used all over the field in 2025. At 6-4 and 200 pounds, he has long strides to cover ground, especially when working downhill and laterally in pursuit. With good explosiveness and a developing power profile, O’Neal has little issue getting involved in the run game and has a lot of experience working as an alley defender, Roberts said.
“A little high cut of an athlete, there is some general hip tightness to O’Neal, which could limit his ability to make a ton of plays from depth with segmented range. His size, however, does make him an intriguing matchup negator against tight ends. While a jump to the SEC is large, O’Neal is young and has the talent to develop with proper coaching. He should, at worst, be able to contribute as a reserve an core special teamer.”
Alabama Crimson Tide News
Alabama Crimson Tide suddenly has a new wide receiver to target following former Ohio State Buckeye’s decision to transfer
Alabama will add some serious speed if they pull off this addition.
