Once synonymous with dominance, a legendary college football program finds itself at a pivotal juncture. Since 2007, the program had never tasted the bitter sting of a four-loss season—until now. Following a dramatic decrease to a 17-year low, 20 players have chosen to depart, leaving fans and analysts astonished. It’s reminiscent of The Dark Knight, where a once invincible force now finds itself dealing with unexpected turmoil and internal conflicts. The burning question on everyone’s mind is: Can this iconic program rise from the ashes, or is the golden era truly over?

Heading into the offseason, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2025 football roster faced two significant challenges: the transfer portal and the NFL draft. After a devastating loss in the Relia Quest Bowl, nine players entered the transfer portal, bringing the total number of departures to 24. One notable loss was right tackle Elijah Pritchett, a crucial member of the offensive line throughout all 13 games. Defeats against Vandy, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Tennessee have profoundly impacted the team.

Well, the defense, in particular, has been hit hard, with seven out of the nine departing players being four-star recruits. Among them was linebacker Jeremiah Alexander, ranked No. 50 and No. 5 EDGE in the 2022 class. Despite the hype, Alexander only managed eight tackles in his three years at Alabama. Other departures included linebacker Sterling Dixon, EDGE Jayshawn Ross, and safety King Mack. Mack, who transferred from Penn State, had 17 tackles, making him the most experienced of the group, but the others failed to make a significant impact.

Despite their strong high school rankings, Dixon and Ross did not perform well in Tuscaloosa, combining for just one tackle. With such a lack of production from these recruits, Alabama now faces the daunting task of rebuilding its defensive depth. The program must quickly address this gap to remain competitive.

Moreover, on the offensive side, Alabama also suffered losses, with three skill position players leaving: wide receivers Jaren Hamilton and Amari Jefferson, and tight end Ty Lockwood. Lockwood ranked No. 12 among tight ends in 2023 and caught a pass, while Hamilton and Jefferson struggled to make an impact. The 2023 rankings placed Hamilton at number 238, and Jefferson ranked number 212 in the 2024 cycle.

With these departures, Alabama’s depth continues to diminish. Despite these significant setbacks, Kalen DeBoer is doing his utmost to keep the program intact.

On the other hand, Alabama is still making big moves in terms of recruitment. The Tide has secured commitments from five-star Michael Carroll, four-star Jackson Lloyd, four-star Micah DeBose, and three-star Mal Waldrep. With these elite prospects coming into the fold, Bama is reloading and positioning itself for the future. Moreover, it’s a do-or-die situation for Kalen DeBoer as he can’t afford to have another losing season. So Alabama needs to continue to build for the long haul, with a solid foundation of talent ready to keep them competitive for years to come.