Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Land Former 5-Star Recruit in College Football Transfer Portal

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Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Land Former 5-Star Recruit in College Football Transfer Portal

The Alabama Crimson Tide failed to reach the College Football Playoff semifinals once again under head coach Kalen DeBoer.

DeBoer took over as head coach of Alabama following the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban after 17 years at the end of the 2023 season. In his first year, DeBoer posted a 9-4 record, and he improved to 11-4 in his second year. This season, he successfully guided Alabama back to the College Football Playoff after they had missed it in his inaugural year. Unfortunately, they lost to the Indiana Hoosiers, 38-3.

The team is now aiming to enhance its roster as it prepares for the 2026 season, with the goal of making a deeper playoff run and reclaiming the top position in college football. A significant milestone was achieved on Monday when they secured the commitment of Ty Haywood, a former five-star offensive lineman from the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan offensive lineman Ty Haywood (79) warms up.© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Haywood spent his true freshman season at Alabama but only appeared in three games, allowing him to preserve his redshirt season. As a high school recruit, he had Alabama among his final choices before ultimately selecting Michigan. Now, following the firing of Sherrone Moore, he is heading to Tuscaloosa.

Haywood’s return signals a renewed emphasis on dominance up front as DeBoer continues to put his stamp on the program. Offensive line development was a cornerstone of Alabama’s championship runs under Saban, and securing a former five-star with multiple years of eligibility fits directly into that blueprint.

Rather than chasing short-term fixes, Alabama appears focused on rebuilding its foundation, particularly in the trenches, to close the gap between playoff participation and playoff success. If DeBoer is going to elevate Alabama back to championship form, moves like this suggest the process is already well underway.

Related: Alabama’s ‘Biggest Question’ Emerges as Kalen DeBoer’s Future Takes Shape

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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