Even the powerhouse Alabama Crimson Tide, owners of 15 national titles, haven’t escaped the impacts of the transfer portal.
This offseason, following their first year without legendary coach Nick Saban, Alabama experienced major roster turnover through the portal. After falling short of their ninth College Football Playoff appearance and suffering a loss to an undermanned Michigan squad in the ReliaQuest Bowl, several players opted to move on.
One of those departures was Caleb Odom, a former four-star recruit known for his versatility on offense. Despite being low on the depth chart as a freshman, Odom still found opportunities to contribute to Alabama’s 9-4 campaign. However, his stay in Tuscaloosa was brief, as the 6-foot-5 playmaker transferred to Ole Miss for the 2025 season.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Odom didn’t hold back when discussing his decision to leave Alabama and head coach Kalen DeBoer. Explaining his move to Ole Miss, Odom said, “I wanted to be somewhere I felt valued and comfortable. I had a good connection with Ole Miss during my recruitment — they were my runner-up out of high school — so coming back here to connect with Coach McDonald and reunite with Coach Kiffin just felt right.”
Though primarily a tight end, Odom was listed as a wide receiver during his time with the Tide, according to ESPN and College Football Reference. The freshman, measuring 6’5″ and 215 pounds, recorded seven catches for 65 yards across 12 games and also saw action on special teams.
Odom wasn’t the only receiver Alabama lost to the portal. Kendrick Law, Kobe Prentice, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Jaren Hamilton, and Amari Jefferson also transferred out. Together, Odom, Law, Prentice, and Henderson accounted for 31 receptions in the previous season.
To help replenish their receiving corps, Alabama added just one transfer: Isaiah Horton from Miami. Horton brings proven production, having caught 56 passes for 616 yards and five touchdowns in 2024.
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