Alabama secures the most important transfer portal commitment yet following stunning addition on defense
Alabama lands its biggest commitment from the transfer portal in Devan Thompkins to wreak havoc up front on a new-look defensive line.
The Alabama Crimson Tide is reloading this offseason with many changes on both sides of the ball after a disappointing ending to the season.
The trenches will look completely different next year in Tuscaloosa, and Kalen DeBoer and his staff have to fix the issues from this past year. Alabama has already lost notable names like Qua Russaw, Keon Keeley, and James Smith to the transfer portal, and now it has to add new starters.
Alabama has already landed impactful commitments on offense, and now it has its biggest get on the defensive line with top defensive lineman Devan Thompkins committing to the Crimson Tide.
DL Devan Thompkins commits to Alabama
Alabama will have a completely new starting defensive line next season, and Thompkins was the one player that DeBoer had to land. I asked fellow A to Z Sports Alabama writer, Rob Gregson, his thoughts on why Thompkins’ commitment was being watched so closely.
“No position grouping has experienced more turnover in the few days since the portal opened than the front seven. Specifically, the defensive line, where Tim Keenan and LT Overton are headed to the NFL Draft, and James Smith made the surprising jump to the portal. It’s the first of what needs to be a total overhaul for the Crimson Tide, but Alabama gains a major player in Thompkins, who was one of the most highly regarded interior defensive lineman in the portal. The rebuilding of the trenches is in full effect in Tuscaloosa.” – Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama
What Alabama is getting in Devan Thompkins
There’s a reason why Thompkins was a top player in the transfer portal, and his upside is why Alabama wanted him so bad. He’s a 6-5, 290-pound interior defensive lineman who can line up in multiple spots and has a rare blend of speed and power that causes fits for offensive lineman. He disengages blocks with ease in the run game and gets after the quarterback quickly in the passing game. Thompkins has traits that are coveted as a do-it-all defensive lineman, and not just a situational player, or a big body to take up space; he gets active.
Alabama also added LB Caleb Woodson, and it will continue to be aggressive in the transfer portal to bring in more talent. The Crimson Tide has also been linked to other defensive linemen, such as Wendell Gregory and Malik Blocton, who could follow Thompkins over soon.
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