Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide have received a rough outlook in the transfer portal.
Are the Alabama Crimson Tide really in danger of falling off the map as an upper echelon college football program?
The new NIL era has changed things, and former NFL offensive lineman Cody Campbell recently stated that he thinks Alabama could end up falling behind due to a lack of funding. Much like Auburn already has.
Well, if On 3's transfer portal rankings are any indication, the decline has already happened, as the Crimson Tide have come in at No. 46. In the SEC, they are 13th out of 16 teams.
“You can look at the transfer portal rankings right now,” Campbell said on Will Cain Country. “Schools like Alabama and Auburn are struggling. They don’t have the booster support. Nothing against Alabama, I have a ton of respect for that program. But they can’t raise the money like the University of Texas can."
That is awful news for Kalen DeBoer, who took over the program in 2024 and has gone 20-8 over his first couple of seasons.
DeBoer was immediately under fire after going 9-4 and losing to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl last year, and Alabama's season-opening loss to Florida State in 2025 didn't help his case.
Alabama Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer. Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images.The Crimson Tide recovered to win eight straight, including four victories against ranked SEC opponents, but they were blown out by Georgia in the conference championship game and were routed by Indiana in the Rose Bowl.
You really do have to wonder if Alabama's days of dominating the NCAA landscape have come to a crushing end.
The Crimson Tide added just one four-star prospect in the transfer portal this winter, acquiring 17 players in total and losing 23. On 3 gave DeBoer's squad an index score of minus-5 in the portal. Funny enough, Georgia was one of the three SEC teams that finished below Alabama.
There is no question that this is concerning for DeBoer as he moves forward in his career at Tuscaloosa, as it will force him to be even more creative and innovative as he attempts to build championship-caliber rosters.
DeBoer is a terrific coach, but he is facing mounting pressure because of the success that Nick Saban brought to the program before him.
But remember: Saban retired because he saw these jarring changes coming, and now, DeBoer has to deal with them.
Bama Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Alabama Crimson Tide. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.