Alabama football can look at these three players as transfer portal targets amid spring window.
Kalen DeBoer hasn’t got much time to create Alabama’s roster to his liking. Since taking over for the great Nick Saban, he’s had to adjust to his new surroundings and do his best to keep many of Alabama football’s current players. DeBoer can get busy with the spring transfer window. He has already brought back Kadyn Proctor, who moved from Alabama to Iowa during the winter.
Alabama football suffered significant losses over the winter. Caleb Downs and Isaiah Bond departed for Ohio State and Texas, respectively. JC Latham, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold, Dallas Turner, and Jermaine Burton are among the players set to be picked by the NFL in the coming week. However, the Tide always retools and reloads, and they may do it again during the spring timeframe. That might include signing Damien Martinez, Keandre Lambert-Smith, and Myles Slusher.
Damien Martinez, Running Back, Oregon State
Alabama football has been a running back factory for the past 15 years. Jase McClellan was the latest in a long line of outstanding Alabama running backs, but last season was his final year of eligibility. Players like Jam Miller, Justice Haynes, and Richard Young represent Tuscaloosa’s future running backs. However, these players have a total of 108 carries for 616 yards and six touchdowns.
They may be the future, but the Tide could benefit from having a current running back to mentor these young players. Damien Martinez of Oregon State could be brought in. Martinez has been one of the greatest and most consistent running backs in the country for the past two seasons. He has averaged 6.1 yards per rush in each of those seasons. He weighs 232 pounds and is six feet tall.
Martinez didn’t mind sharing time with Deshaun Fenwick in Corvallis. He might be part of a similar split in Tuscaloosa alongside one or two of the team’s current young backs. Alabama does not necessary require Martinez, but his presence will benefit rather than harm their operation.
Keandre Lambert-Smith, Wide Receiver, Penn State
Alabama will need some help at wide out. Bond and Burton, their two top receivers from a year ago, have gone elsewhere. Germie Bernard has already given the Tide his commitment. He will follow DeBoer from Seattle to Tuscaloosa. However, Alabama football has many proven options outside of Bernard.
That is where Keandre Lambert-Smith could come in. Lambert-Smith was Penn State’s leading receiver last year, with 53 grabs for 673 yards. These low numbers were attributed in part to the Nittany Lions’ propensity to air it out and pound opponents on the ground. Lambert-Smith is capable of more, which is probably why he is in the portal.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith was WIDE OPEN in the back of the end zone. #WeAre
📺 @nbc and @peacock pic.twitter.com/F7kGdtmvaQ
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 3, 2023
Alabama does have some young receivers poised for bigger roles next season. However, similar to running backs, it wouldn’t hurt to locate a veteran to help ease such guys into consistent positions. Lambert-Smith would assist them in doing exactly that.
Myles Slusher, Safety, Colorado
Caleb Downs was arguably Alabama’s worst loss last year. Downs did a little bit of everything for the Tide last year. He recorded 107 total tackles, intercepted two passes, forced and recovered a fumble, and returned a punt for a touchdown. However, he has left for Ohio State, and Alabama football does not have a clear substitute for him.
Myles Slusher could be that. He is not the same talent as Downs, but he is an eager tackler who can hold his own in the secondary. Slusher appeared in only four games last season, but he recorded 17 tackles in his one year in Boulder. He also has SEC experience, having spent three seasons in Fayetteville with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Slusher isn’t the most well-known name to reach the transfer site, but he can aid any team that signs him. Alabama has a safety hole to fill. DeBoer and his staff should contact Slusher to see if he can fill Downs’ vacancy.
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