Through the NCAA transfer portal, Alabama football acquires more tight end assistance.

Alabama Crimson Tide football is synonymous with championship aspirations, elite talent development, and consistent success at the highest levels of college football. Throughout the years, the program has built its legacy by attracting top-tier recruits, as well as supplementing its roster through the NCAA Transfer Portal to address immediate needs. The 2025 season is no different as Alabama, under head coach Nick Saban, looks to continue its pursuit of national titles, and one area that the team has targeted for improvement is the tight end position. With the acquisition of two transfers—Brody Dalton from Troy and Jack Sammarco from West Virginia—through the portal, Alabama’s tight end room is poised for a competitive and dynamic transformation

Before delving into the specific transfers, it’s important to understand the role that the tight end position plays in Alabama’s offensive system. Over the years, the Crimson Tide has balanced explosive passing offenses with a powerful ground game. The tight end, often regarded as a hybrid position, serves as a key asset in both of these areas. The versatility required of tight ends in the Alabama offense demands players who can block effectively in the run game, as well as create mismatches in the passing game by utilizing their size and athleticism.

Nick Saban’s offensive philosophy has evolved over the years, and the tight end has increasingly become an important weapon for Alabama. In recent years, players like O.J. Howard, Irv Smith Jr., and Miller Forristall have exemplified the impact that a talented tight end can have on an offense. These players have been used not only as reliable blockers but also as downfield threats who can stretch the field and create mismatches with linebackers or defensive backs. In particular, Alabama’s use of two-tight end sets has often served as a key to their offensive success, providing both a physical presence and the ability to exploit defenses in multiple ways.

With this in mind, the addition of Dalton and Sammarco should be viewed as a strategic move to bolster Alabama’s tight end depth chart. With several departures and a need for more experienced depth at the position, the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff recognized the importance of securing quality talent via the portal to ensure continued success in 2025.

Brody Dalton’s journey to Alabama is a testament to his resilience and consistency as a player. Dalton, originally from Fyffe, Alabama, played for both UAB and Troy, making a name for himself as a reliable and versatile tight end. During his two seasons at UAB and Troy, Dalton accumulated 24 receptions for 339 yards and three touchdowns, proving his ability to contribute in both the passing and blocking phases of the game.

One of Dalton’s most significant contributions came in the 2024 season when he posted 15 catches for 188 yards and multiple touchdowns. These numbers reflect not only Dalton’s ability to make plays but also his capacity to create mismatches in the passing game, particularly in the red zone. His experience as a key player on offense at Troy, a school known for its high-powered attack, will undoubtedly serve him well as he transitions into the elite competition of the Southeastern Conference.

In addition to his receiving abilities, Dalton’s blocking skills are worth noting. During his time at Troy, Dalton spent 378 of his 548 snaps as an inline tight end, signaling his proficiency as a blocker in the run game. This ability to serve as both a receiving threat and a physical presence in the trenches gives Alabama the flexibility to use him in a variety of offensive schemes. His background in both facets of the game is a key reason why he will be an important addition to Alabama’s roster.

Dalton’s decision to transfer to Alabama is a natural one, given the program’s storied history of developing tight ends into NFL prospects and its annual championship aspirations. At Alabama, Dalton will have the opportunity to compete for a starting role and contribute to a team that is consistently in contention for the national title. With his experience, size, and skill set, Dalton provides Alabama with a much-needed experienced hand at tight end.

While Dalton brings a wealth of experience, Jack Sammarco offers significant potential for the future. Sammarco, who comes from West Virginia, has three seasons of eligibility remaining and enters Alabama with the chance to make an immediate impact. His commitment to Alabama in April 2025 bolstered the Crimson Tide’s tight end depth, and his skill set has drawn attention from coaches and analysts alike.

Sammarco is a dynamic and athletic tight end who brings versatility to the position. While he hasn’t yet been able to make a significant splash at West Virginia, he possesses all the tools necessary to develop into a key contributor at Alabama. Standing at 6-foot-6, Sammarco has the size to be a factor in both the passing game and the blocking game. His physical attributes make him a potential mismatch for defenders, and his ability to stretch the field and create separation from linebackers and safeties will make him an intriguing weapon for Alabama’s offense moving forward.

One of the main reasons Sammarco is such an exciting prospect is his potential for growth. At West Virginia, he showed flashes of promise, but he has yet to truly realize his full potential. Under the tutelage of Alabama’s coaching staff, known for developing NFL-caliber talent, Sammarco has the opportunity to refine his skills, improve his technique, and elevate his play to an elite level.

In addition to his raw physical traits, Sammarco’s versatility should make him a key piece of Alabama’s offense. The Crimson Tide’s use of tight ends in multiple roles—whether it be in-line blockers, H-backs, or wideouts—gives Sammarco an opportunity to carve out a niche in the offense. His development as a reliable target in the passing game, combined with his ability to block effectively, would allow Alabama to run multiple schemes and confuse opposing defenses.

As with Dalton, Sammarco’s move to Alabama represents a chance to compete at the highest level of college football. The opportunity to play in a program that consistently produces NFL-caliber tight ends and contends for national championships is a significant draw for Sammarco, and he has the potential to make an immediate impact for the Crimson Tide.

As we look ahead to the 2025 season, Alabama’s tight end depth chart is shaping up to be a competitive one, with both experienced players and fresh talent competing for playing time. Brody Dalton and Jack Sammarco join a group that already includes several key returning players and promising newcomers. The competition at the position will be fierce, and the coaching staff will have several options at their disposal as they look to maximize the tight end role in their offensive game plan.

One of the key players returning to the tight end room is Danny Lewis Jr. Lewis, a 6-foot-5, 257-pound tight end from New Iberia, Louisiana, has been a steady contributor for the Crimson Tide over the past few seasons. Lewis has appeared in 31 games at Alabama, with one career start, and his experience gives him a leg up in the competition for playing time. He has shown flashes of potential in both the passing and blocking game, and his size and physicality make him a reliable asset in multiple offensive sets. Lewis withdrew his name from the transfer portal in December 2024, signaling his intent to remain at Alabama and compete for a larger role in 2025.

In addition to Dalton, Sammarco, and Lewis, Alabama will also welcome four-star recruits Kaleb Edwards and Marshall Pritchett to the tight end position. Edwards, a standout from California, and Pritchett, a promising talent from Georgia, bring fresh energy to the group. Both players have the physical attributes necessary to succeed in Alabama’s system, and their development will be closely watched throughout the offseason. Edwards and Pritchett represent the future of the position, and their growth could be pivotal for Alabama’s long-term success at tight end.

The addition of Dalton and Sammarco provides Alabama with much-needed depth and experience at a position that is crucial to its offensive success. With the departure of key players in recent years and the arrival of new talent, Alabama’s coaching staff has taken proactive steps to ensure that the tight end position is stocked with both experienced veterans and exciting prospects. This depth will allow Alabama to run multiple offensive schemes and give the coaching staff the flexibility to adapt to different defensive looks.

The ability to use tight ends as both blockers and receiving threats is invaluable in today’s college football landscape. Alabama’s two-tight end sets, for example, allow the offense to create mismatches in the passing game while maintaining a physical presence in the run game. Tight ends who can effectively block while also serving as reliable targets in the passing game are a vital component of a championship-level offense. By adding Dalton and Sammarco, Alabama is positioning itself to remain at the forefront of the college football elite in 2025.

As Alabama prepares for the 2025 season, the Crimson Tide’s tight end group is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and dynamic in the country. With the addition of Brody Dalton and Jack Sammarco, the return of Danny Lewis Jr., and the arrival of Edwards and Pritchett, Alabama’s tight end room has the talent and depth to be a key factor in the team’s pursuit of a national title. How these players develop over the next few months, and how the coaching staff integrates them into the offensive game plan, will have a significant impact on Alabama’s success in 2025.

The tight end position has always been an important aspect of Alabama’s offensive identity, and the Crimson Tide’s ability to adapt and evolve at this position will be a key factor in their quest for continued dominance in college football. With the new additions and an already talented roster, Alabama is primed to remain one of the most formidable teams in the nation.