Alabama football fans are simply trying to keep their hearts together right now.

No one anticipated this kind of an exodus from players when Nick Saban announced his retirement from coaching.

RELATED: Alabama four-star freshman TE reacts to 5-star QB Julian Sayin entering NCAA transfer portal

However, athletes are leaving the Crimson Tide in boatloads to the NCAA transfer portal. Julian Sayin, a five-star quarterback from California in Alabama's 2024 signing class, becomes the latest name going elsewhere. Pete Thamel of ESPN broke the news Friday morning, and Tide fans are hurt. Sayin, an alumnus of Carlsbad High School, participated in Rose Bowl prep for the Crimson Tide in helping it get ready to face Michigan. Alabama fans wished him the best on social media, but they are hurting.

That one does it. I’m done. Logging off til August. Xoxo pic.twitter.com/K9RPEFSAHS

— Jayde Saylor (@JaydeSaylor) January 19, 2024

Just a devastating development for DeBoer and his staff. This one has nothing to do with NIL. I’ll leave it at that… https://t.co/bhIAp7XHLi

— Jonathan Sanford (@TheJSanford) January 19, 2024

Julian Sayin Goodbye https://t.co/fSeafCtI8t

— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) January 19, 2024

We can’t have anything nice anymore. https://t.co/7rycSr960Z

— K B 👑 (@KitKatB34) January 19, 2024

Goodbye and Good luck. Like the rest who leave, I get it, but not gonna waste my time worried about players who don't want to be here. Thankful for those who are sticking with the Tide. Crazy time, don't blame the kids who wanted to be with Saban. DeBoer is our guy now. RTR. https://t.co/VVtxFuoeih

— Judd Davis (@BamaJD) January 19, 2024

Lord can you please stop this https://t.co/QaAIvGLAA1

— its me dont worry (@jcargill17) January 19, 2024

😭😭😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/hxpJuBlaSe

— Kevin Holifield (@_K3V__) January 19, 2024

This one hits the worst.

Logging off for the day already ✌️

Plz return @juliansayin2 https://t.co/mqQrkuEQAT

— Jathan Gentry (@GentryJathan) January 19, 2024

https://t.co/LATrHAPE90 pic.twitter.com/FhoCWeMzid

— BUSBY (@ThatBusby) January 19, 2024

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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.