Instant Impact: Five transfers who could start Game 1 for Alabama

Whether in December, before spring practice or earlier this summer, Alabama added several players from the NCAA transfer portal this offseason. Many of them will be key contributors for the Crimson Tide this season, with some of them even stepping into starting roles.

“Between the winter and the spring, we’ve picked up 14 guys that I think don’t just add depth to our program, they come in and they make a difference,” said new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer last week at SEC Media Days. “And they add to the guys that have continued to develop and grow within our program.”

Here are five who could prove to be Game 1 starters for Alabama this upcoming season.

Germie Bernard , WR

Bernard followed DeBoer, JaMarcus Shephard and company from Washington to Alabama, and he has a chance to be the Tide’s No. 1 wide receiver this fall. Last season in Seattle, Bernard caught 34 passes for 419 receiving yards and two touchdowns, finishing the 2023 campaign as the Huskie’s fourth-leading wideout. However, he was behind three players who would go on to be top-100 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. With more career receptions than anyone in Alabama’s receiver room, Bernard gives the Tide an experienced weapon in the passing game, which was on display when he started on A-Day (3 catches, 122 yards).

Parker Brailsford , OL

Brailsford is another Washington player who joined his head coach in Tuscaloosa. Starting all 15 games along the Huskies’ offensive line last year, Brailsford was the anchor for a unit that won the Joe Moore Award at season’s end. Alabama was in need of a center after the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, and Brailsford figured to slide right into that spot. However, he faced some competition early in the spring and missed roughly half of the 15 practices because of personal reasons. Back with the team this summer, Brailsford is poised to man the middle of a Tide offensive line that could field one of the nation’s best interiors.

Domani Jackson , CB

Jackson committed to Alabama during the team’s trip to the Rose Bowl, pledging to play for Nick Saban . After Saban retired, though, Jackson reaffirmed his commitment, which was good news for the Tide. Alabama lost both of its starting cornerbacks from last year’s team as well as five players who would have battled for their vacant spots. Coming over from USC, Jackson is an experienced option on the boundary. He consistently worked with the first-team defense in the spring, a spot he will likely hold onto to begin the season. Wake Forest transfer DaShawn Jones could also claim the other starting role as a summer enrollee.

Graham Nicholson , PK

Nicholson announced his commitment to Alabama after spring practice, as the Crimson Tide’s competition at kicker remained open. With Will Reichard running out of eligibility, Alabama had to replace the NCAA’s all-time leader in points but did not have an experienced option to do so. The addition of Nicholson changes that. Beginning his college career at Miami (of Ohio) and playing in 40 games before the 2024 season, Nicholson won the Lou Groza Award as the top placekicker in the nation. There are other kickers on the roster, including Conor Talty , but it would be shocking if Nicholson isn’t the guy for Alabama.

Keon Sabb , S

Defensive back was a priority for the Tide after spring practice concluded, but in addition to Jackson, Alabama added another talented player in the secondary before the first practice in March. Sabb came over from Michigan after helping the Wolverines win a national title – and beat UA in the Rose Bowl – in 2023. He started five games in the UM defensive backfield and quickly earned first-team reps with the Tide, lining up at safety alongside UA veteran Malachi Moore . Sabb and Moore give Alabama arguably the nation’s top safety tandem in 2024, and the former could benefit a young secondary hit by departures this offseason.

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