Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond said Sunday that he made a “business decision” by committing to Texas.
Bond’s decision to leave Tuscaloosa comes on the heels of Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban announcing his retirement on Wednesday. Alabama settled on former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer as Saban’s replacement on Friday.
“Just like the business world, you make the best decision for your company,” Bond told ESPN in a phone interview. “My company right now is my draft stock. I feel like I’m putting myself in position to increase that and have better draft stock.”
Bond was the first Alabama player to enter the transfer portal upon Saban’s announcement. He visited Texas this weekend and committed to the staff during the visit.
“It was really a business decision,” Bond said. “I’m not taking any hatred in my heart. Nothing personal. I’m going to do what’s best for me and my family.”
Bond will always be remembered in Tuscaloosa for one of the great plays in the history of the Iron Bowl rivalry with Auburn.
On fourth-and-goal from the Auburn 31-yard line in the last minute, Bond caught a touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe in the corner of the end zone to give the Crimson Tide a stunning 27-24 win on Nov. 25.
The victory gave Alabama momentum entering the Southeastern Conference championship game, which it won by the same 27-24 score against then-No. 1 Georgia. The Crimson Tide subsequently lost to Michigan in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
Bond, a sophomore, finished the season with 48 catches for 688 yards and four touchdowns. He had 17 receptions for 220 yards and one score as a freshman.
The Crimson Tide now have multiple vacancies in their receiving corps, as Malik Benson transferred to Florida State and Jermaine Burton declared for the NFL draft.
–Field Level Media