An Alabama football player has changed his mind on the NCAA transfer portal.

Elijah Pritchett, a redshirt freshman, put his name into the portal on Friday.

RELATED: Former 4-star OL for Alabama enters NCAA transfer portal

He was the fifth player looking for a new home in college football until he changed his mind.

The 6-foot-6, 312-pounder played 15 career games, including 13 this year as an offensive tackle. Pritchett, a native of Columbus, Ga., told Hayes Fawcett of On3Sports that 'transferring is not in my best interest.' Pritchett apologized for any inconvenience and said he's 100 percent locked into Alabama. He arrived in the Crimson Tide's 2022 recruiting class as a four-star and one of the top tackle prospects. He helped the Tide capture a Southeastern Conference Championship and get to the College Football Playoff.

NEWS: Alabama OT Elijah Pritchett tells @on3sports he is no longer transferring from Alabama:

“Transferring is not in my best interest. I apologize for any and all inconveniences. I’m 100% locked in. ROLL TIDE!” https://t.co/bLpw3smqis https://t.co/yI6tNhWrwO

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 16, 2023

Pritchett would have a marquee opportunity to start at right tackle in the spring.

Alabama is projected to lose JC Latham to the NFL Draft after this season. 

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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.