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It was a matter of when not if the Alabama Crimson Tide would begin to feel the loss of legendary head coach Nick Saban.
As it turns out, the answer was less than 48 hours following Saban’s retirement.
Bama star wide receiver Isaiah Bond, whose miraculous touchdown catch in the Iron Bowl saved the Crimson Tide’s season, entered the transfer portal on Friday.
Alabama leading receiver Isaiah Bond has submitted his paperwork to enter the transfer portal, a source tells @247Sports.
The former top-50 overall recruit led the Crimson Tide with 48 catches this year. (@_NickKelly 1st).https://t.co/asq9HQZPeJ pic.twitter.com/2UWDFN8tAT
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 12, 2024
Alabama WR Isaiah Bond Enters Transfer Portal After Big Years
Bond, a top-50 prospect in the class of 2022 according to 247Sports, led Alabama with 48 receptions for 668 yards this season. He also hauled in four touchdowns, with the most memorable by far coming against the rival Auburn Tigers.
“Adequate size for his position. Possesses growth potential to add additional weight to frame. Displays good athleticism in all three phases of the game. Smooth strider. Shows the ability to accelerate to top-end speed quickly. Possesses excellent play speed before and after the catch. Exhibits good short-area quickness and change-of-direction ability. Will need to develop his route tree as a short-to-intermediate route-runner,” Cooper Petanga of 247Sports said of Bond out of high school.
“Has the ability to consistently stretch the field vertically. Flashes some natural pass catching ability and ability to adjust. Excellent run-after-catch threat,” he continued. “Shows the ability to create for himself. More of a one-cut runner but has the wiggle to make the first defender miss. Plays fast in all three phases. Plays with a physicality and decisiveness on defense and special teams. Has a “football player” temperament with the physical traits to go with it. Dynamic speed player that can add value in multiple phases of the game. Has the ability to be highly utilized in the vertical and horizontal passing game. Possesses the speed and return ability to contribute immediately at the next level.”
The Georgia native immediately becomes on the the portal’s hottest commodities and it’s likely its top-ranked receiver after Texas A&M star Evan Stewart announced his commitment to Oregon.
Bond will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors. And it appears we can count Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin among them.
Where he ends up is anyone’s guess. But somebody is going to land a game-changing wide receiver. Meanwhile, Alabama’s next coach is left trying to fill a large hole in the Crimson Tide offense.