Alabama staffer, former Nick Saban player calls out Tide transfers

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Alabama football has seen its share of departures via the NCAA transfer portal.

Since the portal officially opened Friday, Jan. 2, Alabama has seen multiple players who saw significant playing time enter to find another college football home. This list includes multiple members of the Alabama defense that saw significant playing time in the rotation including defensive linemen James Smith and Keon Keeley, and linebackers Noah Carter and Qua Russaw.

Former Alabama safety and current Crimson Tide director of player development Ha Ha Clinton Dix sounded off on X, formerly known as Twitter, seemingly responding to fans who are reacting to recent portal entries.

“Go watch the tape and tell me what guys y’all are upset about leaving based off production?” Clinton-Dix wrote. “I’m in the office all day. I’ll wait.”

Clinton-Dix did not address specific players, but responded to fans who named specific players who had reportedly entered the portal.

Responding to a comment about Carter and Keeley and their “good potential,” Clinton-Dix said. “potential this is a production business we have to develop (and) win in this collegiate game we don’t check off a box called potential.”

Responding to a comment about Smith, Clinton-Dix said the fan was “looking at highlights”

“Would be great to have back,” Clinton-Dix said. “But stressing is a no.”

As of midday Tuesday, Jan. 6, Alabama has had 19 players who have, reportedly, entered the transfer portal. The Crimson Tide has added two players via the portal this cycle: former Oklahoma State tight end Josh Ford and former NC State running back Hollywood Smothers.

Clinton-Dix played for Nick Saban and Alabama from 2011-13 and was an All-American for the Crimson Tide in 2013.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama staffer, former Nick Saban player calls out Tide transfers

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