Alabama loses backup OT Amari Kight to NCAA transfer portal
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama backup offensive tackle Amari Kight is entering the transfer portal after three seasons in Tuscaloosa. That now makes double-digit Crimson Tide players and yet another offensive lineman to leave via the portal, joining Damieon George, Tanner Bowles and, most recently, Tommy Brockermeyer.
On3 college football reporter Matt Zenitz was the first to break the news. In addition to Kight and Brockermeyer, sophomore wide receiver JoJo Earle also entered the transfer portal on Monday evening, making three more total additions.
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In fact, here’s a look at all of Alabama’s projected losses along the offensive line:
- Tyler Steen (starting LT)
- Javion Cohen (starting LG)
- Darrian Dalcourt (part-time starting C)
- Emil Ekiyor Jr. (starting RG)
- Amari Kight (backup LT)
- Damieon George (spot starter in 2021)
- Tanner Bowles (versatile depth piece)
- Tommy Brockermeyer (former five-star)
Alabama had 15 scholarship offensive linemen on the roster this season.
That means over half of those (53.3%) will not return in 2023. A lot of these guys were either at or near the top of the Crimson Tide depth chart, too. If there’s any good news here, it’s that the current recruiting cycle is yielding a large quantity of offensive line commitments.
- Wilkin Formby (4-star / No. 82 overall / No. 8 OT)
- Olaus Alinen (4-star / No. 168 overall / No. 12 OT)
- Miles McVay (4-star / No. 214 overall / No. 14 IOL)
- Raymond Pulido (3-star / No. 409 overall / No. 28 OT)
- Ryqueze McElderry (3-star / No. 424 overall / No. 31 IOL)
Now, this group won’t have the same star power as past offensive line hauls, but I believe the coaching staff feels really good about the group. Collectively, they average over 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds. Formby is the only one who isn’t 325+ and McElderry is the only one who isn’t at least 6-6.
I don’t think that’s by accident either. I believe offensive line coach Eric Wolford wants to add significant mass to this group, which should help them create a more consistent push in the run game. Or at least that feels like the thought process behind these recent additions.
Kight is still a loss though.
The redshirt junior is actually Alabama’s second-highest rated offensive player this season, according to Pro Football Focus. But to be fair, that’s only based on 83 snaps. In his four seasons, he’s only been on the field with the offense for 164 snaps. Kight has filled in admirably when needed, however. It was likely that he was going to compete for the starting job left behind by Steen at left tackle.
We’ll see where the Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson product goes from here.
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DL Braylen Ingraham | P Jack Martin | RB Trey Sanders
