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Alabama Crimson Tide Transfer Portal Losers: Ryan Williams is facing a new challenge in the wide receiver room in 2026

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jan 19, 2026 4:13 PM ET

The Alabama Crimson Tide went into the transfer portal with a clear plan: to rebuild the trenches. It's safe to say that when analyzing the additions along the defensive line and up front on offense, the Crimson Tide completed its mission.

However, there are still some holes and question marks going forward. Today, A to Z Sports Alabama contributor Josh Taylor and I looked at the biggest "losers" or those facing the most question marks in 2026 with the transfer portal now closed.

WR Ryan Williams

Williams' dropoff in 2025 was shocking and honestly hurt the team often, but they had veterans in Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton to lean on. Now, both of those guys are gone and Williams is turning into one of those veteran players as a junior. We saw Lotzeir Brooks blossom into a reliable guy, but all eyes will be on Williams to be the star he can be, and help whoever QB1 is on a very new-looking offense in 2026.

This will either be a challenge that breaks his status, or boosts his stock once again if he can add reliable hands to his explosive skill set. The Crimson Tide will be very young at wide receiver, and Williams could be the one player on offense who makes or breaks the season.

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LB Caleb Woodson

Woodson was just brought in via the transfer portal and he figures to start at inside linebacker. The team should be happy with that, and Woodson has flashed excellence. The problem is, he's all alone. With Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson both headed for the NFL Draft, it will be on Woodson to guide the young guys in the room and perform at a high level after a lack of other additions in the portal.

Young defensive linemen

With departures come additions, and with additions comes the fact that young players are pushed down the board. After adding players like Devan Thompkins,Caleb Smith, and others, the Alabama Crimson Tide is going all in on veterans, and that's not a bad thing given the turnover in that room.

But someone has to get pushed down the depth chart and for the Crimson Tide, it's the young guys. In all, it was a strong portal for Alabama, so even finding "losers" was a challenge for what looks to be a strong 2026 team.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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