Former Alabama football wide receiver Thaiu Jones-Bell has entered the transfer portal according to multiple reports on Monday. Jones-Bell joined quarterback Tyler Buchner in the portal, though Buchner reportedly went in as a lacrosse player.

Jones-Bell did not appear in a game this season, and was removed from Alabama’s online roster in August. Head coach Nick Saban said at the time that the wideout was taking a medical year.

He appeared in four games in 2022 for the Crimson Tide. Jones-Bell had one catch against Vanderbilt that season.

The Hallandale, Fla. native was a redshirt junior entering the 2023 season. He joined the Crimson Tide as a member of the class of 2020.

According to the 247Sports composite, Jones-Bell was a four-star recruit entering Alabama.

He was one of three receivers in that recruiting class, with the other two, Javon Baker and Traeshon Holden, also no longer with the program. The news of Jones-Bell’s portal entry came on the first day of it being open.

On Sunday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban spoke of the challenges of managing portal entries with the College Football Playoff semifinal still ahead of the Crimson Tide.

“I’m gonna stay in the office tomorrow,” Saban said. “So that, whether it’s guys going out early for the draft, our seniors, leadership group on the team, guys in transition have the opportunity to visit about what they want to do in the future. And we’re hopeful that all of our players are wanting to stay on our team and contribute to the preparation and success that we have the opportunity to have playing the best team in the country.”

The FBS football transfer portal will remain open through Jan. 2. Alabama faces Michigan in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.