Alabama defensive back Jameer Grimsley, a Class of 2024 signee, plans to enter the transfer portal, according to multiple reports.
Grimsley, a four-star from Tampa, Fla., was a December enrollee who participated in Alabama’s Rose Bowl practice period and is the first Class of 2024 signee to enter the transfer portal since the retirement of Nick Saban. As it stands, there are 20 signees enrolled on campus and five that will enroll in the summer: wide receiver Amari Jefferson, tight end Jay Lindsey, running back Kevin Riley, wide receiver Rico Scott and linebacker Quinton Reese (committed but not signed).
Overall, Grimsley is the ninth Alabama player to enter the transfer portal since Nick Saban’s retirement. The others:
- DB Trey Amos
- WR Isaiah Bond (committed to Texas)
- DB Caleb Downs
- DB Antonio Kite
- LB Shawn Murphy (committed to Florida State)
- TE Amari Niblack
- OL Kadyn Proctor
- DB Dezz Ricks (committed to Texas A&M)
In total, Alabama has seen 37 total departures since the end of the 2023 season via NFL Draft announcements and transfer portal entries.
What does it mean for Alabama?
Grimsley’s departure marks yet another exit from the defensive back room after Saban retired and position coach Travaris Robinson took a co-defensive coordinator position at Georgia. The 2024 secondary will be almost a completely new-look unit with just five returning players at the moment: seniors Malachi Moore and DeVonta Smith and redshirt freshmen Bray Hubbard, Jahlil Hurley and Tony Mitchell. The group had added seven new players between USC transfer Domani Jackson and six high school signees, all early enrollees. The departures leave voids at key positions but also create opportunities for younger players to compete for spots on the two-deep during spring practice.
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Alabama is expected to host Washington transfer cornerback Jabbar Muhammed on an official visit this weekend. Muhammed was an All-Pac 12 performer last season with 46 tackles and three interceptions and is considered an instant plug-and-play option. Defensive back is expected to be a position of interest for the Tide in the post-spring practice transfer portal window, which begins on April 15.
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
