What Kalen DeBoer said about spring transfer portal additions
Alabama football didn’t make a significant number of moves in the transfer portal after spring practices. Part of that was because the Crimson Tide didn’t lose anybody to the portal.
But coach Kalen DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan did manage to bolster the depth at a position of need: Tight end.
Troy tight end Brody Dalton and West Virginia tight end Jack Sammarco signed with the Crimson Tide from the transfer portal.
DeBoer spoke at Greystone Golf and Country Club in Hoover before playing in the Regions Tradition celebrity pro-am and he addressed Alabama’s additions at the position where it was down to one scholarship tight end by the end of spring because of injuries.
“I think the potential to have a little bit of young and old and also a little bit more size,” DeBoer said. “You lose CJ (Dippre) and Robbie (Ouzts) at tight end, those guys have got some good size. Danny (Lewis) wasn’t able to do the work we had hoped with the injury. It’s not his fault or anything like that. But we just wanted to make sure we got enough depth and enough options as we go through the summer.”
Not only was Lewis out for the spring but Josh Cuevas dealt with an injury too, and he’s expected to be a top guy at the position. Plus, freshman Marshall Pritchett sustained an injury that kept him out of spring too.
“Many of the guys who weren’t working out this spring are still not full go until probably closer to camp,” DeBoer said. “That’s critical for us to be able to get the work in this summer was to bring some guys in. Those two that joined us here after spring ball, really looking forward to them getting to work. They’re great kids. Getting one younger, one older, but I think they both have a body type that’s a little bit bigger. Put some good weight on them, play both of their hands in the dirt, play off the ball. Versatile that way.”
Dalton has played for UAB and Troy and has one year of eligibility left. Sammarco played one season for West Virginia this past year.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for Follow him on X and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.