With the spring transfer portal window having closed on April 25, college football programs nationwide have been evaluating their roster gaps. For Alabama this marked an important opportunity for Coach Kalen DeBoer to further shape the roster in his second year at the helm after taking over from Nick Saban in 2024. Among many voices analyzing the Crimson Tide’s needs, one stands out with insider perspective.
Greg McElroy, former Alabama quarterback and current ESPN analyst, recently provided detailed insights into what his alma mater should prioritize during this transfer cycle. Speaking on his “Always College Football” podcast, McElroy identified tight end as the position most urgently requiring reinforcement.
Greg McElroy Breaks Down Alabama’s Top Priority in the Transfer Portal
“Alabama desperately needs depth at tight end,” McElroy emphasized during his podcast breakdown. The analyst’s assessment comes at a time when programs are balancing resource allocation in the increasingly expensive transfer market.
While McElroy acknowledged that edge rushers would benefit the Tide’s defense, he questioned whether that position represents the best use of Alabama’s NIL resources given market competition.
“Is Alabama willing to go out and spend precious resources and try to outspend other teams that might be in the market for the exact same thing? Probably not,” he reasoned. “I think Alabama is probably gonna try to focus their attention on positions in which they might get an immediate boost without spending a ridiculous amount of money, and that’s a tight end.”
The tight end position has been left particularly vulnerable following the departures of two key contributors. McElroy highlighted CJ Dippre’s versatility as a traditional Y tight end who could also flex to H-back positions, providing valuable blocking and occasional receiving options.
Equally significant was the loss of Robbie Ouzts, whom McElroy described as “the hammer in the run game” at 270-275 pounds. “Wasn’t ever gonna threaten you in the passing attack, but he was a guy that could open up lanes in the run game,” he said about Ouzts’ impact.
The Tide added three transfer tight ends to the roster — Peter Knudson, Jack Sammarco, and Brody Dalton. However, McElroy believes the staff remains unsatisfied with the group’s overall quality and experience level.
According to McElroy, Alabama’s coaching staff concluded after spring practice that additional tight end experience could considerably elevate the offense. “It was still a position that I feel, after spring, they feel like we can take a pretty decent-sized step there if we add somebody with high-level playing experience,” he said.
Despite having eight tight ends on the roster, Alabama appears poised to act quickly in the portal. “They tried to go after a few guys, I believe, back in the winter,” McElroy revealed about previous recruiting efforts.
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As DeBoer implements his offensive system in Tuscaloosa, securing the right tight end talent could prove crucial for maintaining Alabama’s championship aspirations. McElroy’s final assessment leaves little doubt about the program’s intentions.
“So, expect Alabama to be very active in pursuing a tight end. If one hops in, that could make that room better.”
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