Alabama football finally landed its first transfer portal addition Tuesday night in Florida defender Kelby Collins.

Collins signed soon after, which permitted Alabama coaches to talk about the Gardendale native Wednesday after practice.

Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer said Collins’ versatility stands out.

“A guy that can come in and do a lot of different things,” DeBoer said. “Add to a group that I think has good numbers and good competition. He’s got his niche too, outside, inside, can do a little bit of both. Help add to what we want to be better at, getting to the quarterback in different ways.”

Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said he’s excited for Collins to be with Alabama.

”Kelby is a guy that a number of us had a relationship with before,” Wommack said. “(Defensive line coach) Freddie Roach in particular. Alabama guy that has had production in the SEC. Looking forward to seeing what he does with us.”

Wommack confirmed that Collins will start out as a Bandit in the defense. Collins is listed at 6-4, 278-pounds.

“He’s a big man,” Wommack said. “It will be exciting to kind of get out there and work with him. When you go through this, you watch tons of tape. Anything you can get your hands on just to see what the guy’s skill set would be. You talk to a million people and try to figure out exactly where you place him. I think guys like that who have big frames who are still developing, I don’t know if we want to put them into any one box in particular. That’s where he will start. To me, it’s wherever he helps the team best.”

Alabama is preparing to face Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. in Tampa, Florida.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.