The Alabama Football team suffered its most surprise loss during this transfer portal window when true freshman safety Peyton Woodyard joined the portal. Woodyard was a four-star recruit in this recruiting class, ranking seventh among safety recruits in the top 150. He enters the transfer portal with a no-contact tag, indicating that he has already decided on his next program.
The decision is stunning and indicative of the times, considering Woodyard only attended spring workouts as an early enrollee before departing the program. Red Morgan and Bray Hubbard, who have risen up the depth chart thanks to strong springs, may have contributed to the departure.
The Alabama Football team also added a safety via the transfer portal that may have played a part in Woodyard leaving. The Crimson Tide added Charlotte Safety Kameron Howard who’s coming off of a strong freshman season. In 2023, Howard recorded 38 tackles with two interceptions and a pass defense. Landing Howard will give the Tide some experience at safety after losing Caleb Downs and Jaylen Key this off-season.
The Alabama Football team will have one experienced starter in Malachi Moore while the rest of the safety group will be a competition between Howard, Tony Mitchell, DeVonta Smith, Bray Hubbard, and Zay Mincey.
Sign of the changing landscape for Alabama Football
The departure of a true freshman before one full season is something we’re going to see become more popular as transfer rules and NIL continue to change. The ability to transfer right away while also having a chance to earn money while playing makes it increasingly popular to land at a school where you’ll play from year one. This departure likely has little to do with Kalen DeBoer and the new staff but, more to do with playing time at the start of Woodyard’s career.
