The transfer portal opened up for undergraduates on Monday, December 9th. Thus far, Alabama has lost nine players to the transfer portal. There will be several others that enter the transfer portal in the coming days and weeks leading up to Alabama’s bowl game against Michigan.
With multiple key contributors looking to transfer elsewhere, other players will be called on to step up against the Wolverines. Today, we take a look at several players that could see increased roles and have an opportunity to contribute to the team’s success in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
1. WR Rico Scott
Scott was a four-star prospect coming out of high school. The Pennsylvania native is a big play waiting to happen. He will have the opportunity to make a number of big plays in the bowl game. With wide receivers Kendrick Law and Kobe Prentice entering the transfer portal, it would make perfect sense for Alabama to try and get Scott as many reps as possible heading into the offseason, He will be a valuable piece of Alabama’s receiving core during the 2025 season.
2. WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
The time has finally come for Henderson Jr. After patiently waiting to become a key piece of Alabama’s offense, Henderson Jr. has the chance to really impress the coaching staff in the bowl game. Although he has played more this year than in years past, Henderson Jr. has not been featured much in Alabama’s offense. The Alabama native is a home run threat. He excels at taking the top off of defenses and winning in one-on-one situations. There were multiple instances this season where Henderson Jr. would have someone beat downfield and Mirloe would make an errant throw. It will be interesting to see how Alabama decides to use Henderson Jr. in the bowl game. He could be the third wide receiver on the field for the Crimson Tide.
3. QB Ty Simpson
With there being no clarification as to whether or not Jalen Milroe will suit up in the bowl game, it seems like Simpson had to make this list. The former Elite 11 finalist has sat behind Milroe in each of the last two seasons. Fans have become enamored with Simpson’s confidence level and the way he carries himself. They are eager to see the Tennessee native see meaningful snaps at the quarterback position. Whether he starts or not remains to be seen, but I would expect Simpson to see the field in some capacity against the Wolverines. After all, he is the frontrunner to be Alabama’s starting quarterback next season under the assumption that Milroe turns pro.
4. LB Yhonzae Pierre
Pierre battled through injuries throughout the regular season but should be a full-go for the bowl game. The native of Eufaula, Alabama is expected to be a key player on Kane Wommack’s defense moving forward. He plays the WOLF position alongside redshirt freshman Qua Russaw. The two will see a lot of action in the bowl game given the departure of Keanu Koht and a season-ending injury to Que Robinson. Pierre excels at rushing the passer but can be a contributor in stopping the run as well. The former five-star has the ideal blend of size and strength to be one of the next great outside linebackers to come out of Tuscaloosa. Could we see a glimpse of Pierre’s potential against the Wolverines?
5. RB Richard Young
A lot of fans have been questioning why Young has not seen the field more this season. While I cannot provide a definitive answer to that question, I can honestly say that he should see a handful of meaningful snaps against Michigan. When his number has been called, Young has been very productive. The former four-star prospect gets north to south in a hurry and has a great burst. He runs with something to prove, and it shows every time he is on the field. I would fully expect Alabama’s coaching staff to get Young the ball in the bowl game. After all, the future of Alabama’s running back room remains uncertain. Junior Jam Miller could elect to return, transfer, or turn pro. I think it is very important that Young sees an uptick in the number of snaps that he plays from this point onward.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
