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Alabama will apparently have to replace its starting right tackle in 2025, with Elijah Pritchett planning to enter the transfer portal, Pritchett told On3 on Saturday.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pounder from Columbus, Ga., started all 13 games for the Crimson Tide in 2024. But the sophomore apparently wasn’t thrilled with his situation in Tuscaloosa as Kalen DeBoer replaced the legendary Nick Saban as head coach, so he’s heading elsewhere in 2025 with the 2 years of eligibility he’s got left.
Pritchett rotated into all 14 games as a redshirt freshman at right and left tackle in 2023. But he has always been in heavy competition for playing time throughout his time at Alabama.
The former 5-star offensive lineman becomes the 22nd Alabama player to enter the transfer portal during this cycle. Pritchett’s departure isn’t really a shock, because he entered the transfer portal in the winter of 2023 but withdrew his name and returned to Alabama after a short stint in the portal. Now he’s heading back to the portal despite developing into a starter in 2024 in DeBoer’s first season in Tuscaloosa.
Crimson Tide players have until Sunday to decide whether to enter the transfer portal or stay in Tuscaloosa for the 2025 season. Apparently, Pritchett has already made his decision, 1 day before the deadline.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
