Alabama football’s CFP berth slows flow of NCAA transfer portal exits

Funny how a shot at a championship ring can narrow the nozzle on the flow of transfers.

The NCAA transfer portal has been open for a week now, and only four players have decided to part ways with Alabama football: WR Ja’Corey Brooks, DL Isaiah Hastings, QB Tyler Buchner and WR Thaiu Jones-Bell.

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There’s plenty of time for more exits — another month or so — and the Crimson Tide will surely lose a few more. But with a berth in the College Football Playoff comes a chance at a national championship for every player who’s still on the roster a month from now when the playoff is settled.

And for that, they’ll stick around.

At this time a year ago, a two-loss Alabama team that missed the playoff had lost 11 players to the portal: Aaron Anderson, Javion Cohen, JoJo Earle, Christian Leary, Damieon George, Amari Kight, Jack Martin, Trey Sanders, Khyree Jackson, Tanner Bowles and Traeshon Holden. It eventually lost a few more.

Name, image and likeness dollars, of course, were available for the taking.

NIL has flung open the door for players to make whatever they can get, and make no mistake — they can get a lot. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule recently said the market price for a top quarterback in the NCAA transfer portal is anywhere from $1-2 million. Know what Max Duggan is making in the NFL as a rookie now? The former TCU star quarterback who led the Horned Frogs to the CFP last year is pulling $216,000 with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The early Christmas of NIL money officially began falling from the portal sky on Monday, but with a championship at stake, it’s been a slow trickle from other CFP-qualifying programs, as well. Texas has lost just two…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-footballs-cfp-berth-slows-154627781.html

Author : The Tuscaloosa News

Publish date : 2023-12-10 15:46:27

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