There are thousands of players in the college football transfer portal, and every team is lining up to see who’s out there.
With news this week of three other Alabama players hitting the portal, we wanted to look at who might be the best players out there.
At the top of the list are guys from a couple of places.
Caleb Downs, defensive back
Downs was named All America second team after he finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference with 107 tackles, 74 solo, and two interceptions. He had a forced fumble, a recovered fumble and was a part of four turnovers. Alabama says he’s likely the first freshman to ever lead the program in tackles.
As a freshman, Downs made an immediate impact with those tackle numbers. It certainly could hurt Alabama because this season’s Crimson Tide defense wasn’t as strong as some in recent years and Downs was looked at as a building block for a stronger unit next season.
Related: Could Georgia be the landing spot for the best DB available?
Julian Sayin, quarterback
Sayin is the best player on the board who has yet to play in college football. The top quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class is a football savant, according to scouts. He already has skills beyond his years in reading and understanding defenses and game preparation.
He won’t last long, or if he does, it’s because he’ll have too many offers from which to choose, like Ohio State, Georgia and LSU, among others.
Related: SEC school hires coach who went on epic rant after a bowl loss
Kadyn Proctor, offensive tackle
Proctor is already being projected as a high NFL Draft prospect when he’s eligible, as most draft boards have him going in the first round.
Proctor, who is 6-foot-8, 360 pounds, started every game for Alabama at left tackle as a freshman last season. He was named to the Freshman All-America team and was on the first team all-SEC freshman.
Related: Alabama loses another decorated player to the portal
Will Rogers, quarterback
Rogers has thrown for more than 12,000 yards with 94 touchdowns, mostly with the late Mike Leach at Mississippi State running the Air Raid offense.
He was going to step right in at Washington after the departure of Michael Penix, but when Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer left to take the Alabama job, Rogers hit the portal again.
Related: How to watch the Super Bowl
Parker Brailsford, offensive lineman
Brailsford started every game for Washington as a freshman last season, on one of the best offensive lines in the country.
He was named to the All-Freshman team and is visiting Alabama, where his former coach is now. But, Brailsford will be wooed by every major school in the country.