Nick Saban was impactful in the NCAA transfer portal in his time as Alabama’s head coach.
He pulled in names such as Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Henry To’oto’o, Jermaine Burton, Eli Ricks, Jaylen Key, and Trey Amos among others. Before the portal became popular, Saban landed guys like Jacob Coker, Richard Mullaney, Gehrig Dieter, and Landon Dickerson. Kalen DeBoer brought in some of his guys from Washington to the University of Alabama and is coaching other athletes the Crimson Tide got from the portal. Fall camp begins next week for the Tide, and we are continuing a series of players and positions that will be impactful.
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A breakdown of transfers to make the best contribution for Alabama is below.
Parker Brailsford, OL
Alabama quickly upgraded at center on its offensive line with getting Parker Brailsford from Washington.
Seth McLaughlin’s consistent snapping issues cost the Crimson Tide in its losses to Texas and Michigan in 2023. The native Georgian transferred to Ohio State and the Tide has a fresh start. Brailsford knows Coach DeBoer’s system, earning Freshman All-American honors and second-team All-Pac-12 honors last year.
He started 15 games, including 13 at center, anchoring the Huskies’ offensive front to a Pac-12 Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The 6-foot-2, 275-pounder guided Washington to the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s top offensive line.
Brailsford is physical, athletic, and someone who is skilled in pass protection and run blocking.
He gives Alabama the best guard-center-guard tandem in the country. Brailsford will be a significant reason why the Tide returns to dominance up front.
Germie Bernard, WR
He made plays at Washington, but Germie Bernard is in a situation at Alabama where he can be explosive.
The Las Vegas (Nev.) native drew a comparison to former Tide receiver, John Metchie, at SEC Media Days. Malachi Moore did not make a bad comparison, especially with how Bernard executes on the field. He turned in 34 catches for 419 yards receiving and two touchdowns in 2023 for the Huskies. The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder can do a lot of things, but he’s also been teaching younger receivers the offense under DeBoer.
Bernard’s knowledge and playmaking skills make him impactful this season.
Keon Sabb, FS
People have concerns about Alabama’s secondary, but Keon Sabb will answer those.
He brings CFP National Championship experience to the group.
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Sabb, a New Jersey native, played at Michigan last year — totaling 28 tackles, five pass breakups, two interceptions, and a pick returned for a touchdown. He fit in well with the team in spring practice and the chemistry has continued to grow.
His experience brings a calming confidence to the Crimson Tide’s defensive backfield.
Domani Jackson, CB
Domani Jackson gets his chance at Alabama to show how elite of a defender he is.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from California had 28 tackles and four pass breakups across 18 games at the University of Southern California.
He has embraced the culture of Crimson Tide football under Kalen DeBoer, especially with how he performed in spring practice. Jackson’s length, athleticism, experience, and coverage skills should have him take one of two cornerback spots.
Graham Nicholson, PK
The only kicker to beat out Will Reichard for the Lou Groza Award is now at Alabama.
Graham Nicholson, a transfer from the University of Miami at Ohio, was a Consensus All-American, first-team All-MAC selection, and MAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023. He made 27 of 28 field goals and 35 of 37 PAT attempts.
Alabama fans want to see consistency from him making kicks from inside 40 yards.
If he brings a leg that can deliver from 50-plus yards, then fans will see that as extra.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
