Alabama football saw some major transfer portal defections in the days following Nick Saban’s retirement and Kalen DeBoer’s hire as head coach. Some attrition was expected, as Crimson Tide players got a 30-day window to enter the portal after Nick Saban’s retirement on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the Tide saw two freshman starters from the 2023 season make public their intentions to hit the portal, in safety Caleb Downs and offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. That same day, athletics director Greg Byrne appeared on the Paul Finebaum Show on SEC Network, where he was asked about key players departing UA.

“You absolutely don’t like it,” Byrne said. “You don’t like it for the team.”

Once Saban told players he was retiring, Byrne addressed the team, asking it to stick together for 72 hours to allow him to find a new head coach. The AD did the job in 49, bringing in DeBoer, fresh off of a national championship game appearance with Washington.

A few Alabama players did not wait out the search, most notably wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who committed to Texas after leaving UA. But for the most part, they held off departing until DeBoer was in place.

Wednesday, Byrne called on fans to donate to UA’s NIL collective. He said Alabama can’t fault any athlete for for being interested in the portal, but expressed his belief that UA is the best place in the country for athletes.

“Alabama is such a special place,” Byrne said. “The investment that we make in our young men and young women across the board for our sports, and what we do from an academic support (standpoint), medical support, mental health, nutrition, across the board is as good an any place in the country.”