The transfer portal giveth and it taketh away.

UAB safety and returning starter Jaylen Key announced his intention to enter the transfer portal Tuesday on his social media accounts.

In a statement, the Tallahassee native indicated that returning to UAB is still an option but would test the portal waters.

A member of the 2018 recruiting class, Key had a breakout season last year and finished third on the team in tackles. He played in every game during the 2022 season, starting eight games, and was a C-USA honorable mention while amassing 60 tackles (4.5 for loss), three interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. Key appeared in 24 games throughout his UAB career and accumulated 78 tackles (4.5 for loss).

Since spring practice ended, UAB has seen 13 members of the program enter the transfer portal and Key was the most experienced and expected to compete for a lead role in the backend of the secondary.

Redshirt senior running back A.J. Gates announced his entry into the portal on Wednesday, joining Key, along with quarterback Damon Stewart, running back Ty Smith-Lindsey, wide receivers Jordan Palmer and Mustafa Hefner, defensive linemen Gralyn Stokes, Justin Goodwin and Alvino Carbajal, linebacker Charles Daniels III, cornerback Codey Martin and safeties Xavier Lanier and Trace Luker.