Will Isaiah Bond go from Alabama legend to a future opponent?

In one of the more hectic weeks in program history, Bond became the first player to reportedly enter the transfer portal following the retirement of Nick Saban.

Due to the coaching change, players have until the first week of February to leave the program, an extension past the initial December window. The Crimson Tide has yet to hire Saban’s replacement while multiple candidates have taken themselves out of the running.

UA athletic director Greg Byrne is reportedly working off a “72-hour” time frame, but Bond’s potential departure may signal an impending wave of changes.

Nick Kelly of The Tuscaloosa News was the first to report Bond’s plans to enter the portal. 247Sports’ Brett Greenberg then reported that Texas and former UA assistant Steve Sarkisian are serious contenders for Bond, who also has the option of returning to Tuscaloosa.

Bond was a sophomore standout for the Tide, catching 48 passes for 668 yards and four touchdowns. Jermaine Burton had the second-most receptions with 39. Most notably, Bond will forever be remembered for “Gravedigger” or the 4th-and-31 conversion from Milroe to Bond that won UA the Iron Bowl.

Bond, a four-star prospect from Buford, Georgia, said his life changed “a lot” since the now-canonized catch. He quickly became one of the more dependable targets for Milroe, using his speed to get behind defenses and create space.

In the last three games of his season, which spanned the Auburn game, the SEC Championship versus Georgia and the Rose Bowl against Michigan, Bond produced 14 catches for 201 yards and a score. With leading yards-getter Jermaine Burton declared for the NFL Draft, Bond was one of the key returning playmakers UA was banking on in 2024.

Now, Bond’s departure may just be one of the many changes coming to Alabama football this offseason. Fellow starting wide receiver Malik Benson entered the transfer portal, along with Shazz Preston and Ja’Corey Brooks. Alabama’s five-star recruit Ryan Willams also revoked his verbal commitment after Saban’s retirement and wide receiver coach Holmon Wiggins left for Mike Elko’s new staff at Texas A&M.

The pass-catchers left of UA’s roster (with their 2023 reception numbers):

• Amari Niblack (20 catches for 327 yards)
• Kobe Prentice (18 catches for 314 yards)
• C.J. Dippre (11 catches for 187 yards)
• Jalen Hale (five catches for 148 yards)
• Kendrick Law (15 catches for 135 yards)
• Jam Miller (four catches for 73 yards)
• Robbie Ouzts (three catches for 33 yards)
• Cole Adams (two catches for 11 yards)
• Danny Lewis Jr. (one catch for 5 yards)
• Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (sophomore, no catches)
• Jaren Hamilton (freshman, no catches)

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