Alabama’s Approach: Complementing the Roster
In the midst of the early signing period, the topic of recruiting in the transfer portal era has taken center stage. Alabama’s head coach, Nick Saban, shed some light on how his program approaches this new landscape.
Saban likened the transfer portal to free agency, emphasizing that if a player is looking to transfer, they likely have a need for playing time. Alabama sees this as an opportunity to address any gaps in their roster. Whether it’s a left tackle or a linebacker, the Crimson Tide actively search for suitable additions from the transfer portal.
Despite this approach, Alabama has only secured one commitment from the transfer portal for the upcoming 2024 season. However, their traditional high school recruiting efforts have paid off, as they currently boast the second-ranked recruiting class according to 247 Sports.
Colorado’s Strategy: Immediate Impact
On the other end of the spectrum, Colorado’s head coach, Karl Dorrell, has taken a different approach. Dorrell orchestrated a remarkable roster transformation in his first season, utilizing the transfer portal to infuse his team with new talent.
Similar to Saban’s philosophy, Dorrell focuses on acquiring transfers who can make an immediate impact. As of December 22, Colorado leads the way in the transfer class rankings, having secured 16 transfers, including six four-star players.
However, Colorado’s high school recruiting efforts have not seen the same level of success. Currently ranked 99th in the country, the Buffaloes had only five players sign national letters of intent during the early signing period. Their hopes rest on the signing of five-star offensive tackle, [Name], who is yet to make a commitment.