- Bond was second on the Crimson Tide in receiving yards last season with 668
- Williams is the No. 9 overall recruit and No. 3 WR in the 2024 recruiting class
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Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Bond became the team’s player to enter the transfer portal following the retirement of former head coach Nick Saban.
Saban announced his retirement Wednesday after 17 years as head coach of the Crimson Tide.
Alabama also witnessed five-star recruit wide receiver Ryan Williams leave the school immediately following Saban’s retirement.
However, the potential loss of Bond will sting Alabama’s offense that much more, due to the fact that he finished second on the team in receiving yards this season after finishing the year with 668.
He also recorded 48 receptions and four touchdowns during his sophomore campaign.
Alabama WR Isaiah Bond is the first player to enter the transfer portal since Nick Saban retired
Saban announced his shocking retirement on Wednesday after 17 years as Alabama’s coach
Bond was second on the Crimson Tide in receiving yards last season after posting a career-high 668
Bond appears to be quick to take advantage of the NCAA rule that gives players 30 days to enter the transfer portal after the departure of their head coach, without receiving a penalty and immediately retaining eligibility to play for a new team.
While Bond putting his name in the transfer portal does not ensure he will transfer from Alabama, it does make his intention to do so known and he can communicate with other coaches without penalty.
If Bond decides to remove his name from the portal and remain with the Crimson Tide, he would likely be one of the key players in new head coach Kalen DeBoer’s offense.
Alabama also saw five-star WR Ryan Williams recommit from the school after the Saban news
Williams, on the other hand, is expected to commit to play for another school before the recruiting period ends on National Signing Day at the end of February.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Williams is the No. 9 overall recruit in the class of 2024 and the third-best receiver in the country.
Committed to Alabama since October 2022, Williams was seen as a major coup that Saban could land because he was an in-state prospect and had an Auburn heritage — his father Ryan Williams Sr. played for the Tigers in the late 2000s.
Unlike most highly recruited college football prospects, Williams did not sign his binding National Letter of Intent in December, and it appears he is clearly grateful for that decision.