Alabama Football: 3 players the Tide should target in 2021 transfer portal

Alabama has one of the most complete rosters heading into the 2021 season but it could use a couple more pieces to really lock up that No. 1 preseason spot by a wide margin.

Nick Saban has another national title-caliber roster in Tuscaloosa but he has yet to add a single transfer player in the portal and it’s almost a sure thing that will change in the near future. The Crimson Tide have landed a couple of impact transfers over the years and there are some big names in the portal who could impact Alabama immediately.

Which players in the portal should Saban keep a close eye on?

The tight end position is losing a big name in Miller Forristall and he’ll be replaced by Jahleel Billingsley, Major Tennison, and Melvin Billingsley.

The Crimson Tide could use an elite option at tight end outside of the younger Billingsley (Jahleel). He had 18 catches for 287 yards and three touchdowns in 2020 and actually out-performed Forristall for most of the year. I could see Billingsley becoming one of the bigger breakout stars on offense, but why not add a sure thing in Arik Gilbert to help out the new starting quarterback?

Alabama recruited Gilbert out of high school in Marietta, Ga., and the Crimson Tide were looked at as the favorites to land him before he picked LSU.

Could Nick Saban reach back out?

It’s possible and why not seeing as the two sides were very close before he picked LSU. He was the No. 1 tight end in the 2020 class and had a big freshman season with the Tigers before hitting the portal and there’s some talk that he could be heading back to Baton Rouge but Alabama should be a top option here.