Alabama Crimson Tide kick off the offensive line rebuild following commitment from standout freshman via transfer portal
The Alabama Crimson Tide has arguably made its biggest addition of the transfer portal thus far. Sure, Hollywood Smothers is the sexy addition, but it doesn’t matter if the guys in front of him aren’t able to block.
With Kaydn Proctor headed to the NFL Draft, alongside Parker Brailsford, and a pair of tackles departing for the portal, Alabama is going to have an entirely different offensive line outside of Michael Carroll in 2026. Well, now we know who else will be starting on the line.
Strayhorn was teammates with Carroll at IMG Academy during their time in high school, and it’s clear that his visit earlier this week went well for the Crimson Tide. Alabama now has three major additions from the portal. Smothers at the running back position, Caleb Woodson at inside linebacker, and now Strayhorn.
With so much turnover in the trenches, it’s important that Alabama makes these sorts of moves not just now, but until the 16th of January, the date the portal closes. Running the ball and stopping the run were major issues for Alabama in 2025, and that can’t be the case again in 2026 if Alabama wants to build upon its appearance in the CFP quarterfinal.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has experienced a mass exodus on defense ever since the season ended in the Rose Bowl. Now, some of that has been expected via NFL Draft declarations, but losses like Keon Keeley and Qua Russaw caught many by surprise.
Alabama has been bracing for the departure of its inside linebacker duo for months, however. Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson are headed for the NFL, and while Alabama has some up-and-comers at that spot, the defense in 2026 desperately needs two things: experience and speed. Alabama just found both in one signing.
Woodson once played safety and has converted to the inside linebacker position. He’s the perfect modern-day player who can fly across the middle with his speed and play out in space as a pass defender.
Jefferson and Lawson were fine players, but both of them were more of your traditional stacked backers. With Woodson, you’re bringing in a hybrid player who is used to running the alley as a run defender, but with upside to make plays on the football in space. For more on the signing, here is A to Z Sports Alabama contributor Josh Taylor.
“Woodson is a converted safety who plays linebacker now at 6-3, 230 pounds, who is like a smaller Jihaad Campbell. Woodson can fly around as a freak athlete, and he’s more of a sub-package type of player to me. With that being said, having someone like that in the box is a great asset to have.”
“He’s not a wolf or anything like that, but he can stop the run and be a great blanket in coverage while the front four get after the QB. He will be a dangerous player if he can add a little bit more weight in his transition to LB, and Alabama is a great place to do that.” – Taylor
