From Portal to Powerhouse: How Alabama Transfer LT Overton Became a Defensive Star and 2025 Bronko Nagurski Watchlist Leader
When LT Overton entered the transfer portal following the 2024 college football season, he did so not with uncertainty, but with intention. The former five-star recruit from Alpharetta, Georgia, had spent two seasons at Texas A&M showcasing glimpses of elite talent—raw power, freakish athleticism, and a football IQ well beyond his years. Yet, a crowded depth chart, scheme mismatches, and a shifting coaching staff left Overton seeking a new environment—one where he could anchor a defense, not simply be a rotational piece.
Fast forward to the summer of 2025, and Overton has done more than find a new home. He’s thrived. Now a centerpiece of Alabama’s rebuilt defense, Overton’s resurgence has been nothing short of meteoric. His name was recently placed on the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watchlist, given annually to the nation’s top defensive player. It’s a testament not only to his talent but to his perseverance and the perfectly timed decision to take his future into his own hands.
When Overton announced his transfer to Alabama in January 2025, the college football world took notice. Not just because he was a marquee addition in an already aggressive Alabama portal class, but because the fit made so much sense. With the Crimson Tide losing several front-seven stalwarts to the NFL Draft, the defensive line was in need of both experience and star power. Overton brought both.
Standing 6-foot-5 and tipping the scales at 275 pounds, Overton arrived in Tuscaloosa with SEC battle scars and a chip on his shoulder. His recruitment out of high school had been a whirlwind—offers from nearly every powerhouse program, elite camps, and constant media attention. After reclassifying and graduating early, he enrolled at Texas A&M in the spring of 2022. His freshman year was solid—playing in every game and recording a handful of sacks—but it was 2023 where he truly began to flash. Despite inconsistent usage and a defensive scheme that often had him out of position, Overton posted career highs in tackles for loss and quarterback hurries.
Yet by season’s end, the writing was on the wall. A&M was headed toward another coaching transition, and Overton didn’t want to risk another year of instability. Enter Alabama—new head coach Kalen DeBoer had made it clear that the transfer portal would be vital in reshaping the Tide roster. Overton’s arrival was immediately seen as a coup. And within spring practice, it became apparent just how impactful he could be.
Alabama’s defensive coordinator, Kane Wommack, didn’t waste time. He installed Overton as a starting edge in multiple fronts, frequently moving him inside on passing downs to create mismatches. The results were immediate. Overton’s explosiveness off the snap, combined with improved hand technique and leverage, made him virtually unblockable during spring scrimmages. By A-Day, he was the most disruptive player on the field—racking up two sacks, a forced fumble, and multiple tackles for loss.
Teammates raved about his leadership, while coaches praised his maturity. Overton didn’t come to Alabama just to rebuild his draft stock—he came to dominate. And now, entering the 2025 season, he’s poised to do just that.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watchlist is no small honor. It’s often predictive of future All-Americans and first-round NFL Draft picks. To land on it is a signal that a player isn’t just performing at a high level—but doing so in a way that commands national attention. For Overton, the recognition is both a validation of his hard work and a motivator to push even further.
In interviews during Alabama’s fall camp, Overton was measured in his response to the honor. “It’s a blessing,” he said. “But it doesn’t change my approach. I came here to help this team win championships. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Indeed, Alabama’s 2025 defense appears built around Overton’s ability to disrupt. With a younger secondary and an offense undergoing a transition at quarterback, the Tide’s path to an SEC title and potential College Football Playoff berth will require their defense to be elite. Overton, as both a physical and emotional leader, is central to that plan.
His development under Alabama’s staff has been noticeable. Once criticized for occasionally playing too high or over-pursuing, Overton now sets a firm edge, reads run-pass keys with discipline, and finishes plays with violence. He’s become more than just a pass rusher—he’s a complete defensive lineman.
NFL scouts have taken notice, too. Overton is already projected as a top-15 pick in several early 2026 mock drafts, with some analysts noting his blend of strength, speed, and versatility as reminiscent of former Alabama greats like Jonathan Allen and Quinnen Williams. While such comparisons are lofty, they’re not without merit.
But perhaps what’s most compelling about Overton’s story isn’t the physical tools or accolades—it’s the journey itself. In an era where college football is defined by movement, NIL deals, and instant gratification, Overton’s path reflects a deeper resilience. He didn’t transfer because things got hard. He transferred because he wanted more—more opportunity, more growth, more challenge. And he found all of it in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama, for its part, has benefited immensely. Overton isn’t just filling a hole on the depth chart—he’s elevating the standard. Young players have spoken about how his work ethic in the weight room and film sessions has set the tone for the entire defense. Coaches have highlighted his willingness to mentor younger linemen, helping them understand the nuances of leverage, gap integrity, and play recognition.
With the 2025 season approaching, expectations are sky high. Alabama opens with a primetime clash against Wisconsin, followed by a grueling SEC slate that includes trips to Georgia and LSU. Overton will be tasked with anchoring a front seven that must generate consistent pressure and force turnovers. If spring and summer are any indication, he’s more than ready.
College football is filled with stars, but not all stars lead. LT Overton has become both. From his early dominance at Milton High School to the ups and downs at Texas A&M, and now his ascent at Alabama, Overton’s journey has been shaped by moments of decision and resolve. The portal gave him a second chance. Alabama gave him the platform. He’s done the rest.
Should he maintain this trajectory, Overton won’t just contend for the Nagurski—he’ll be a household name by December, leading one of the sport’s most storied programs back to national prominence. And in doing so, he’ll serve as a reminder of what’s possible when elite talent meets the right opportunity and an unshakable mindset.
In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, the portal giveth and taketh away. For Alabama, it gave them a force of nature in LT Overton. And for Overton, it gave him the clarity to pursue greatness on his own terms. That pursuit, now backed by production and potential, has landed him among the elite. The journey is far from over—but it’s already one of the most compelling in college football heading into 2025.
