What Jalen Hurts and Drew Sanders have in common as Alabama football transfers | Goodbread
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Drew Sanders' transfer to Arkansas came up twice at Nick Saban's Monday news conference. That's twice more than the Alabama football coach was asked about Braylen Ingraham, who entered the NCAA transfer portal just a week ago, and twice more than he's asked about a lot of players who exit his program.
Most who've left UA have not gone on to starring roles elsewhere. Two who went to Texas didn't even play against the Tide in Week 2, and a third, running back Keilan Robinson, got one carry. Those who've excelled often have done so at smaller schools. Alabama-to-Oklahoma transfer Jalen Hurts would be one exception.
Sanders, by every early indication, is looking like another.
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He leads the NCAA in sacks with 5.5, instantly becoming the Razorbacks' top defensive playmaker thus far. He's versatile, instinctive and has solidified a linebacking corps that needed quick offseason help. Alabama's loss when he entered the portal nine month ago; Arkansas' gain when the Crimson Tide (4-0, 1-0 SEC) visits Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS).
"It is what it is," Saban said.
The coach was referencing Sanders' decision to leave Alabama after his sophomore season, but that sentiment could have just as easily blanketed his thoughts on the transfer portal as a whole. More than ever, now that the portal offers immediate eligibility at a transfer's destination school, exits from a program that recruits like Alabama are imminent. A lot of schools can land four- and five-star prospects, but Alabama is among the few that can stockpile depth with them. The occasional unhappy backup is inevitable.
A year ago, Sanders was quickly thrust into action at outside linebacker when starter Christopher Allen was injured, then had to yield the role to Dallas Turner thanks to an injury of his own. Turner, who was dynamic as a pass rusher over the latter half of that season, gripped the job with both hands. Saban said a move to inside linebacker likely would've been the plan for Sanders had he stayed at Alabama. Sanders apparently had the same idea, just in a different uniform.
"He wanted to play on the inside. We had an opportunity with (Hayden) Henry and (Grant) Morgan graduating," Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. "I'm sure he saw that. … That was something he was adamant about in the short, brief recruiting process that there was."
Sanders will be a stout test for his former teammates, especially when it comes to pass protection.
And you can bet he'll be playing with some extra motivation.
Honors for former Tide WR
Former Alabama wide receiver Quincy Jackson, best remembered by fans for two miracle touchdown catches in Alabama's 1998 win over LSU that were both tipped by cornerback Robert Davis, will be remembered for something else on Thursday. He'll be inducted into the East Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame at halftime of EMCC's home game against Northwest Mississippi CC.
"I was totally shocked when I heard the news, and I was definitely honored," said Jackson, who now works for Charlie's Do It All landscaping service in Bessemer. "Those were two important years, and to go from there to the University of Alabama fulfilled a dream for me."
Just a couple weeks after his heroics against LSU, Jackson was on the receiving end of a halfback pass from Arvin Richard for a touchdown in what turned out to be the last Iron Bowl played at Legion Field in Birmingham, a 31-17 Alabama win. But the LSU game, Jackson said, is the one fans remember most.
"My teammates couldn't believe that happened twice," he said.
Trench watch
You'll get an eyeful watching Arkansas' preseason All-SEC center Ricky Stromberg operating against Alabama's up-and-coming nose guard Jaheim Oatis and others on the Tide's interior defensive line. With a grade of 83.7, Stromberg is currently ranked by Pro Football Focus as the No. 3 center in the nation, and has yet to allow a sack or even a quarterback hit. Oatis, meanwhile, is clogging inside running lanes more effectively by the week.
Around the SEC
A Texas A&M pass defense that's been downright stingy, allowing just 153.3 passing yards per game, will take on the SEC's leading gunslinger in Mississippi State's Will Rogers (346 passing ypg) in Starkville. Something has to give there, and here's guessing Rogers will have his way. … RB Chris Rodriguez makes his season debut against Ole Miss after a four-game suspension, and it will come none too soon for a Kentucky offense that's struggled to protect QB Will Levis. … Where in the SEC other than Nashville could Georgia travel and be a four-touchdown favorite? Answer: Columbia, Mo. … SEC Spread Pick of the Week: Auburn +9.5 vs. LSU. Season: 3-1.
Reach Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @chasegoodbread
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What Jalen Hurts, Sanders have in common as Alabama football transfers
