Over the years, Alabama has utilized the transfer portal as a competitive advantage. The coaching staff has viewed the transfer portal as an opportunity to supplement the roster with the necessary players to build a championship-caliber roster. Alabama has seemingly benefitted from the transfer portal since it was established by the NCAA in 2018.
Touchdown Alabama lists Alabama’s top five transfers from the transfer portal era.
1. Jameson Williams (2021)
I feel like No. 1 on the list should not be up for discussion. Alabama landed a gem from Ohio State ahead of the start of the 2021 season. Williams was expected to compete for a starting role upon arriving in Tuscaloosa. Needless to say, those expectations were met sooner than many had anticipated.
In Week 1 of the 2021 season, Williams reeled in four receptions for a career-high 126 yards and a touchdown. After that, Williams continued to be a sensation at wide receiver for the Crimson Tide over the course of the season. Williams finished his junior season with 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Missouri native led the conference in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Williams was always a big play waiting to happen and never failed to amaze the Alabama faithful with his playmaking ability.
2. Jahmyr Gibbs (2022)
While it might be up for debate, I feel as if Gibbs did a good enough job during the 2022 season to land at No. 2 on the list. The Georgia Tech transfer came to Tuscaloosa and ‘took the bull by the horns’ at the running back position and never looked back.
Gibbs was an all-around back in the Crimson Tide offense. He finished the season with 1,370 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. The 2022 offense lacked firepower compared to years past, but Gibbs did a tremendous job of providing a boost to Alabama’s offense. Much like Williams, it always seemed like Gibbs could score anytime he touched the football, and that was put on display during his lone season in Tuscaloosa.
3. Landon Dickerson (2019-2020)
Most people tend to overlook offensive line transfers, but this one should be an exception. North Carolina native and Florida State transfer Landon Dickerson spent two seasons at Alabama. He played in 24 games and was an integral piece of the offensive line in both years.
As a redshirt junior, Dickerson was named a Second-team All-SEC selection. As a redshirt senior, Dickerson helped anchor an Alabama offensive line unit that won the Joe Moore Award. In addition, he was named a Unanimous All-American and a First-Team All-SEC selection. Altogether, Dickerson put together two of the best seasons that any player has put together in Alabama history.
4. Henry To’oTo’o (2021-2022)
After signing with Tennessee over Alabama coming out of high school, To’oTo’o entered the transfer portal and ultimately finished his career with the Crimson Tide. To’oTo’o was a key player on Alabama’s defense in each of his last two years. The California native finished his two-year career at Alabama having recorded 207 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
During his senior season, To’oTo’o was named a First-Team All-SEC selection. His journey came full circle as he was recruited out of high school and the transfer portal by Nick Saban. To’oTo’o put together two strong seasons with the Crimson Tide and will be remembered for his leadership and play at the middle linebacker position.
5. Jermaine Burton (2022-2023)
Another player that had a similar career path as To’oTo’o is Jermaine Burton. The California native was recruited by Saban and the Crimson Tide out of high school but ultimately wound up at Georgia. After two seasons with the Bulldogs, Burton entered the transfer portal and committed to Alabama.
In two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Burton reeled in 79 receptions for 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns. As a senior, Burton led the SEC by averaging 20.5 yards per catch. There some epps and flows in Burton’s productivity at Alabama, but he did enough to be No. 5 on the list of Alabama transfers in the transfer portal era.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
