Alabama wideout Shazz Preston has entered the transfer portal. The second-year player becomes UA’s first departure since losing the College Football Playoff Semifinal to Michigan at the Rose Bowl.

Hayes Fawcett of On3 was the first with the news of Preston’s plans.

Preston appeared in 10 games for the Crimson Tide, mostly on special teams and some reps at wide receiver. Alabama players have through Saturday, Jan. 6, to enter the portal since the Tide made the CFP.

The deadline to declare for the NFL Draft is Jan. 15, which Dallas Turner eagerly announced in the locker room postgame.

Preston was a four-star recruit out of St. James (Louisiana) High and a top-100 prospect according to 247Sports Composite. His brother, Shawn Preston Jr., just completed his sixth season with Mississippi State. The Preston family grouped in Starkville, Miss., earlier this year when the brothers played against one another.

Preston is the fifth Alabama player to enter the transfer portal since the window opened in December, joining Anquin Barnes (Colorado), Ja’Corey Brooks (Louisville), Tyler Buchner (Notre Dame – lacrosse) and uncommitted defensive lineman Isaiah Hastings.

UA has pulled in three commits and two while in California: Texas A&M’s Naquil Betrand and LT Overton as well as USC cornerback Domani Jackson. With another strong recruiting class and potentially more transfers, there should be more Alabama players exploring futures elsewhere.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].