Nick Saban has become Thanos of the NCAA transfer portal.
He continues to poach the marquee names and get them to Alabama football. Saban pulled Landon Dickerson, Henry To’oto’o, and Jameson Williams from the portal. All three were successful moves. After getting cornerback Eli Ricks from Louisiana State University, the Crimson Tide landed a piece at running back. Jahmyr Gibbs spent two seasons at Georgia Tech University.
RELATED: Former 4-Star running back Jahmyr Gibs transfers to Alabama
A native of Dalton, Ga., Gibbs displayed playmaking abilities in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He turned in two 100+ yard rushing performances versus Virginia (132) and Virginia Tech (113). The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder had 746 rushing yards with four touchdowns on 143 carries. Gibbs showed versatility as a receiver in 12 games with 36 catches for 470 yards and two scores.
He also totaled 589 kick return yards and one touchdown, moving him to 1,805 all-purpose yards and seven scores in 2021.
In 2020, he accounted for 460 yards rushing, 303 yards receiving, and seven touchdowns.
He is explosive with the ball in his hands, especially in space. Gibbs is decisive in his cuts and provides Alabama with a potential home run threat in the backfield.
The Tide will lose Brian Robinson to the NFL Draft at the end of this season. It returns Jase McClellan, Trey Sanders, Roydell Williams, and Camar Wheaton to the roster. Alabama also has 2022 signees Emmanuel Henderson and Jamarion Miller.
If no one transfers, Alabama would have seven running backs.
Gibbs possesses a skill set that McClellan, Sanders, and Williams have. It will be interesting to see how Coach Saban goes about keeping the running back room intact. The portal continues to treat the Crimson Tide well.
Gibbs is an athlete that will enhance Alabama all over the field. He looks forward to arriving on campus in the spring to compete and earn an opportunity.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
