Alabama adding former Cal Poly center from transfer portal

Photo Courtesy of Racin Delgatty’s Instagram

After losing all of its centers from last season, Alabama continued to restock the position through the transfer portal. The Crimson Tide received a commitment from Cal Poly center Racin Delgatty on Friday night, according to On3. The rising redshirt junior will have two years of eligibility remaining at Alabama. 

Delgatty visited Alabama this week. The La Cañada Flintridge, California native also took visits at Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma State, and Oregon State. 

Delgatty earned All-Big Sky Second Team honors last season, starting all 12 games for Cal Poly at the center position. According to Pro Football Focus, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman earned a 79.9 pass-blocking grade, allowing just 11 pressures and no sacks over 460 pass-blocking snaps. He earned a 61.8 grade over 312 run-blocking snaps. Delgatty also started eight games over nine appearances at center during his redshirt freshman season in 2024. 

Center was one of Alabama’s biggest needs this offseason. Along with losing starter Parker Brailsford to the NFL Draft, the Tide will also be without backup Geno VanDeMark, who ran out of eligibility. Meanwhile, third-string center Joseph Ionata transferred to Georgia Tech. 

Along with Delgatty, Alabama added Michigan transfer Kaden Strayhorn from the transfer portal this offseason. Strayhorn, a rising redshirt freshman, played in just two games during his debut season with the Wolverines. The Tide also added Michigan offensive tackle Ty Haywood from the transfer portal.

Alabama is also bringing in five freshmen offensive linemen in this year’s class. Those additions include four-star talents Bryson Cooley (6-foot-6, 315 pounds), Chris Booker (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) and Jared Doughty (6-foot-6, 300 pounds) as well as three-star talents Bear Fretwell (6-foot-7, 290 pounds) and Tyrell Miller (6-foot-5, 305 pounds). 

Right tackle Michael Carroll is Alabama’s only returning lineman with starting experience. Along with Brailsford, the Tide is also losing starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor to the draft. VanDeMark is out of eligibility, along with guards Kam Dewberry and Jaeden Roberts. Meanwhile, guard/tackle Wilkin Formby transferred to Texas A&M.  

The transfer portal window closed on Jan. 16. Only players who already entered their names in the portal are eligible to sign with new teams.