Alabama is one of the most high-interest teams in the spring transfer window given the attrition it saw following Nick Saban’s retirement. Now the Tide will be able to backfill open scholarship spots to fill out the 2024 roster. As it stands on Tuesday morning, Alabama has 83 scholarship players, leaving two open spots to the 85-man limit — and for every Alabama player that exits, one more spot can be filled via the transfer portal. Here’s a breakdown of scholarship numbers by classification (including redshirt players):

One caveat to keep in mind is that the SEC doesn’t allow inter-conference transfers during the spring window. Still, Alabama can select from any other conference nationally. The scholarship count means Alabama can be aggressive immediately but the coaching staff is still going to be methodical in who it targets. In some cases, Alabama needs ready-made contributors and because of the team’s youth, it could also use depth at certain spots — which is one of the hardest things to pull from the transfer portal. If a player’s in the portal during the spring window more times than not it’s because they’re seeking a chance to play immediately. Selling players on being a depth piece in 2024 with the potential to play a bigger role in 2025 and beyond isn’t easy. Having 20 of the 28 members of its 2024 recruiting class go through spring practice was critical for development as several freshmen could be counted on to fill important positions on the two-deep this fall.

There are a few positions where additions are nearly certain such as offensive line and defensive back but there are a few others to keep an eye on, too. Spring practice is over and after 15 practices there’s more context that puts each position group in a new light entering summer, paving the way for a necessary roster reset. As the spring window opens, The Athletic examined each position group, where it stands and placed a likelihood on attrition and additions during the spring portal window.

Alabama’s quarterback room saw some change a few months back with Julian Sayin departing for Ohio State and bringing in Austin Mack from Washington. Exiting spring practice, the room is in good shape. The biggest news for this group surfaced on Monday night amid reports that Ty Simpson will not enter the transfer portal and stay with the team. It’s a significant development as Simpson’s resisted the portal three times: in the initial winter window, post-Saban’s retirement and now post-spring practice. Whether Simpson believes he can push for the starting job or is fine waiting his turn and stepping into the starter role in 2025 is unknown, but it’s a big win for Alabama’s roster regardless. The level-up in schedule difficulty in the SEC and the expanded College Football Playoff will take a toll on rosters; teams need multiple high-level quarterbacks to compete for championships and Alabama has that in Simpson and Jalen Milroe. Four scholarship quarterbacks is about the mark that most teams would like to be at. Alabama’s in a good spot in terms of having a few dependable veterans and two young players (Dylan Lonergan and Mack) as developmental pieces.