Alabama

Goodman: Will receiver Isaiah Bond regret leaving Alabama for Texas?

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2024

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Goodman: Will receiver Isaiah Bond regret leaving Alabama for Texas?

This is an opinion column.

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If anyone was still in denial about the new world of college football, then Isaiah Bond’s transfer from Alabama to Texas ended any and all doubt that the sport would ever be the same again.

Bond was the hero of the 2023 Iron Bowl. His game-winning touchdown reception on fourth and 31 made him an instant legend of Crimson Tide football. He led Alabama in receiving yards in the SEC championship game. After another year in Tuscaloosa, everything was in place for him to carry on the long tradition of Alabama receivers taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Then the unthinkable happened. Bond transferred out of Alabama shortly after Nick Saban announced his retirement from college football.

I’m not going to call Bond a turncoat villain, but it’s fair to say that his decision to double-cross Alabama left the Crimson Tide shaken and the rest of the SEC stirred.

Of all the moves we’ve seen throughout the sport of college football since January, Bond’s decision to leave hero status at Alabama for more NIL money at Texas represents the most jaw-dropping plot twist of the offseason. For me, it was even more shocking than Saban’s retirement.

Saban is 72 years old and there were plenty of signs throughout the 2023 season that his career was winding down. My Saban retirement column was ready to publish weeks before the news happened. Bond’s stunning flip caught me completely off guard.

Did a request by Bond for more NIL money from Alabama inform Saban’s decision to call it a career? Since walking away, Saban has acknowledged that the changing motivations of modern-day college football players coaxed him into retirement. When Bond arrived in Austin, Texas, after his transfer, one of the first places he visited was a local Lamborghini dealership.

Can Alabama compete with the NIL collectives out in Texas? Put it this way. The closest Lambo showrooms to Tuscaloosa are in Atlanta and Nashville. There aren’t any in Alabama.

Fans might not like the changes happening in college football, but the real truth can’t be denied. While the sport is evolving by the week, college football has never been more intriguing or popular. Over the next couple months, I’m going to write a series of columns focusing on 10 burning questions throughout the SEC and college football.

Question No.1: Will Isaiah Bond regret leaving Alabama?

NIL was the major factor in Bond’s move west, but Bond also wanted to play for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. Sarkisian recruited Bond while the receiver was in high school. They had an established relationship before Bond entered the transfer portal. When Saban retired, Bond was the first Alabama player to bolt. It opened the floodgates.

If head-to-head coaching records are an indication, then Bond maybe should have waited to see who Alabama was going to hire as Saban’s successor.

Both Alabama and Texas made the College Football Playoff last season. Both teams went out in the semifinals. Alabama lost to Mighian in overtime of the Rose Bowl and Texas couldn’t keep pace with Washington in the Sugar Bowl.

Alabama then hired Washington coach Kalen DeBoer to replace Saban. It was a bold move not without the potential to fail, but DeBoer’s record against some of the best coaches in college football can’t be denied. Against Sarkisian of Texas, DeBoer is 2-0 over the last two years.

Based on recent history, Bond chose incorrectly and should have waited to hear DeBeor’s pitch.

There are other measures of DeBoer’s success with receivers as well. Look at the 2024 NFL Draft. DeBoer has the edge on Sarkisian there, too.

Texas had an excellent draft class. The Longhorns set a program record with 11 selections and three of those were receivers. Xavier Worthy went No.28 in the first round, Adonai Mitchell was drafted 52nd overall in the second round and then Jordan Whittington was drafted in the sixth round.

Now compare those draft picks to the pass catchers Alabama’s new coach just put in the draft. DeBoer’s trio of former Washington receivers went before the Texas threesome. Rome Odunze was ninth overall to Chicago. Ja’Lynn Polk, a transfer from Texas Tech, was drafted 37th overall in the second round. Jalen McMillan, a crisp route runner, went to Tampa Bay in the third round (92nd overall).

DeBoer scored a major victory for Alabama when he convinced receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard to leave Washington for the Crimson Tide. It was the most important hire for DeBoer’s new staff. Former Washington receiver Germie Bernard followed Shephard to Tuscaloosa and, based on the spring game, will fill the role previously manned by Bond.

Bernard is poised to be Alabama’s new breakout star and Bond is the biggest X-factor in the SEC entering the 2024 season. A spot in the SEC championship game could come down to which player fits in better with their new team.

SOUND OFF

Got a question for Joe? Want to get something off your chest? Send Joe an email about what’s on your mind for the weekly mailbag. Let your voice be heard. Ask him anything.

Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of the most controversial sports book ever written, “We Want Bama: A Season of Hope and the Making of Nick Saban’s Ultimate Team.”

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Alabama

A major overhaul ahead for the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line

Published

8 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

A major overhaul ahead for the Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line

The first phase of good news for the Alabama Crimson Tide is happening. While indications are the two best Alabama offensive linemen will move to the NFL, there are eight other (and counting) offensive linemen who not return for the 2026 season. Three are out of eligibility: Jaeden Roberts, Kam Dewberry, and Geno Van DeMark. Five more are portal entries: Micah DeBose, Joe Ionata, Olaus Alinen, Roq Montgomery, and Wilkin Formby.

Why is the attrition good news? There are two reasons. Kalen DeBoer’s offensive lines have needed skill sets in short supply the last two seasons. His offense needs agile, quick-footed offensive linemen. Not many Alabama football fans will disagree, but for those who do, when two late-season games (Georgia and Indiana) are lost by a combined 56 points, a major overhaul is required.

For an offensive line overhaul, the Crimson Tide needed to free up roster slots, to improve talent, and reallocate money. The count of returning offensive linemen (as of late afternoon on Jan. 4) is six: Mike Carroll, Casey Poe, Jackson Lloyd, Mal Waldrep, Red Sanders, and Arkel Anugwon. In addition, the 2026 class added five more: Tyrell Miller (JUCO), Jared Doughty, Chris Booker, Bear Fretwell, and Bryson Cooley

Next for the Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama could get lucky and have Parker Brailsford decide to play another season of college ball. Assuming that luck will not occur, three or four offensive linemen need to be added through the Portal. At least two of them need to be tabbed as near-locks to start in next fall’s season opener.

So far, the only target known publicly is Texas State center, Brock Riker. New targets are expected to surface soon, some of whom may not be in the portal yet. According to Yahoo Sports, Riker has been targeted by at least nine Power Four programs, with more offers expected soon.

The large number of transfer exits may be an indication that offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic will also move on. Many Alabama football fans are looking forward to DeBoer bringing in a new OL coach.

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Alabama

Alabama outside linebacker to reportedly enter NCAA transfer portal

Published

20 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Alabama outside linebacker to reportedly enter NCAA transfer portal

According to a report from ESPN’s Max Olson, Alabama Crimson Tide outside linebacker Noah Carter is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal following two seasons in Tuscaloosa.

Carter is the first Alabama outside linebacker to enter the transfer portal so far this cycle.

The outside linebacker originally came to Alabama as a member of the Crimson Tide’s 2024 class, and was one of the first big commitments of the Kalen DeBoer era. Then, Carter was rated as the nation’s No. 109 overall prospect, as well as No. 9 edge rusher nationally, out of Centennial High School in Arizona, per the 247Sports Composite rankings.

During his two seasons at Alabama, Carter posted a combined 11 tackles and 0.5 TFL across 14 games played. The outside linebacker appeared in 11 games this past season, posting nine tackles and 0.5 TFL.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

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Alabama

The Ty Simpson Conversation Alabama Can’t Ignore

Published

1 day ago

January 3, 2026

Press Room

The Ty Simpson Conversation Alabama Can’t Ignore

In the aftermath of Alabama’s embarrassing Rose Bowl loss, one of the loudest and most important conversations surrounding the program isn’t just about the offensive line, the play-calling, or the defensive breakdowns. It’s about Ty Simpson, and what comes next for him.

Tom Loy of 247Sports recently added serious fuel to that conversation when he said:

“If Ty Simpson gets a first-round grade, he’s gone to the NFL. If not, keep an eye on Tennessee and Oregon.”

That’s a big deal. And it’s a conversation worth having.

At this point, there are three realistic paths in front of Simpson: return to Alabama, enter the NFL Draft, or transfer. After the Rose Bowl performance and the questions it raised, nothing feels guaranteed anymore.

The idea of Simpson potentially leaving Alabama is shocking, especially the Oregon part. Tennessee makes some sense. They’ve built a reputation for developing quarterbacks, playing fast, and creating offensive systems that highlight strengths. But Oregon? That hits different. Tennessee is home. Well, at least for Ty. After all, he’s from Martin, Tennessee. And he actually almost chose to go to play for the Volunteers before committing to the Crimson Tide.

The Vols have familiarity, comfort, and a system that could give Simpson the keys immediately.

That alone makes the possibility unsettling for Alabama fans.

Still, before anyone panics, it’s important to zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

Ty Simpson finished the season completing 305 of 473 passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. Statistically, that’s a strong season. It shows efficiency, decision-making, and growth, even amidst inconsistency. But the Rose Bowl exposed something numbers don’t always tell, the need for experience, command, and comfort under pressure.

That’s where an interesting comparison comes into play: Jalen Hurts.

Like Simpson, Hurts once faced uncertainty at Alabama.

Like Simpson, he had to make a decision about his future when the situation wasn’t crystal clear.

Hurts chose to leave with the blessing of Nick Saban, transferred to Oklahoma, and had a phenomenal season. That single year of experience, tape, and confidence skyrocketed his draft stock and reshaped his NFL future.

Maybe, just maybe, that same path could exist for Ty Simpson.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Alabama has already lost him.

In fact, one could argue the best thing for Simpson might be another year as a starter, whether that’s in Tuscaloosa or elsewhere.

Quarterbacks don’t just need talent; they need reps, adversity, and film that shows growth. One more season of full command, especially behind a stronger offensive line and a more stable system, could change everything.

As for the NFL, the message from Tom Loy is clear: if Simpson hears “first-round,” he’s gone.

And he should be.

You don’t pass up that opportunity.

But if the grade comes back lower, returning, or transferring, becomes a smart business decision, not an emotional one.

Right now, nothing is decided.

But the fact that Tennessee and Oregon are even being mentioned tells you how real this situation is. The transfer portal has changed the game of college football, and now, and players like Ty Simpson now have leverage, options, and choices.

The Ty Simpson conversation isn’t just about one quarterback.

It’s about where Alabama football is headed, and how quickly things can change.

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