Alabama hosting transfer portal target for official visit
Alabama is keeping the door open in the transfer portal with its eyes on the defensive backfield. Former UAB safety Jaylen Key will spend the next two days on an official visit with the Crimson Tide. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound sixth year senior announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on April 25.
Key is also slated to visit Ohio State (Wednesday/Thursday) and Oregon (weekend). The visit with the Ducks is currently doubtful. He visited Florida State and Ole Miss last week. North Carolina is also included in his top contenders. This is not Key’s first visit to Alabama. He took an unofficial visit the day after entering the portal.
‘Bama was fun,” Key told Warchant.com on May 3. “You get to see all the accolades from doing it at the highest level for a crazy extended period of time. Of course, you have the most legendary coach of all time in Coach [Nick] Saban. But also the energy level of the people around town when it comes to Alabama football was next to none.”
Key, who is originally from Tallahassee (Godby High School), spent this past weekend visiting the Seminoles. He told Warchant after the visit, “Definitely kind of slimmed things down a little bit. We’ll leave it at that.” A decision is likely to happen before next week.
Alabama looking for more help in the secondary
The visit to Alabama is important. Key will want to know more about his role in Alabama’s system. Alabama will want to see if this is also a great fit on their end. Key was outstanding this past season with 60 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions. He can provide an immediate boost to the safety unit in T-Town. Alabama clearly has strong interest with bringing Key in for an official after the ‘meet-and-greet’ visit less than two weeks ago.
Don’t Miss: Five offensive targets to watch after spring visits
Safety is one position without a lot of ‘starting’ experience returning this fall. Malachi Moore and Kristian Story are the veterans of the group. Jake Pope showed promised during the spring. Caleb Downs can make a major impact as a freshman, and appears as a leading candidate for a starting role. Earl Little Jr., also has the versatility to play anywhere in the secondary. He will see the field a lot this fall.
Must-Read: Post-spring depth chart projections for Alabama’s inside linebackers, secondary
Three former Alabama safeties were selected in the NFL draft last week. The list included Brian Branch (Round 2, No. 45, Jordan Battle (Round 3, No. 95), and Demarrco Hellams (Round 7, No. 224). That’s a lot of experience removed from the backfield.
Key is one of two defensive backs currently recruited by Alabama in the transfer portal. Former Louisiana cornerback Trey Amos received an offer from the Crimson Tide last Monday. Amos has not revealed visit plans with the Crimson Tide. He visited LSU on Friday.
Alabama has added three transfer portal additions thus far: Tight end CJ Dippre (Maryland) and inside linebacker Trezmen Marshall (Georgia) enrolled at Alabama in January. Both participated in spring practice. Former Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner announced intentions to transfer to Alabama on April 27.
CLICK HERE to continue reading more the visit for Jaylen Key.
The post Alabama hosting transfer portal target for official visit appeared first on On3.
