Alabama football starter and former 5-star recruit makes transfer portal decision

Posted by author January 4, 2025 Football

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Alabama football offensive lineman Elijah Pritchett has announced an intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal, per On3.

Pritchett (6-foot-6, 327 pounds) won a competition with Wilkin Formby for Alabama’s starting right tackle position in 2024, but struggled in the role, particularly in pass protection. He allowed five sacks and 21 quarterback hurries in the regular season, per Pro Football Focus, with his most dismal performance coming against Tennessee (one sack, six hurries). He played one of his best games in the Crimson Tide‘s 27-25 home win over South Carolina.

Pritchett entered the portal last offseason after Kalen DeBoer took over the Alabama football program. He later withdrew his name.

Pritchett and Formby later split reps at right tackle in Alabama’s final regular-season win against Auburn and its ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan.

During the early weeks of the 2023 season, he platooned with Kadyn Proctor at left tackle before Proctor took over the role fulltime in midseason.

Pritchett was a five-star recruit out of Columbus (Ga.) Carver High in former coach Nick Saban’s 2022 signing class. He took a redshirt in 2022, and will have two years of remaining NCAA eligibility at his destination school. As a recruit, Pritchett’s official visits included Alabama, Georgia, Southern Cal and Florida State.

The NCAA winter transfer portal closes on Dec. 28.

Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.