Vanderbilt OL Tyler Steen Announces Transfer to Alabama

The top offensive tackle in the transfer portal made his official decision known via social media on Tuesday morning.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama has officially landed the top offensive lineman in the transfer portal. Vanderbilt offensive tackle Tyler Steen committed to the Crimson Tide on Tuesday morning, choosing Alabama over offers from Kentucky, LSU, N.C. State, Virginia and UCLA among others, as his transfer destination.

Thankful for the opportunity #RTR pic.twitter.com/F5yuWKtTx7

— Tyler Steen (@ZzTylerzZ00) April 12, 2022

BamaCentral reported Monday evening that Steen had decided on Alabama and was even on campus over the weekend to take in the Crimson Tide’s scrimmage Saturday. The trip marked his second visit to Tuscaloosa in a span of two weeks as he also visited the campus with his father late last month.

Steen, who entered his name in the transfer portal on Jan. 11, has started a combined 33 games at both tackle positions for Vanderbilt over the past three seasons. Last year, the 6-foot-5, 315-pound lineman started at left tackle in all 12 of the Commodores' games, earning a 59.9 pass-blocking grade and a 68.7 run-blocking mark from Pro Football Focus.

Alabama is looking to replace both of its starting tackles from last season in Evan Neal and Chris Owens. The Crimson Tide has been shuffling its offensive line throughout the spring, experimenting with several players at multiple positions.

While Steen is not guaranteed a starting spot for Alabama, the transfer is expected to be in the mix for one of the two openings at the tackle position.

The fifth-year senior is currently finishing up an internship at Vanderbilt and is set to get his degree in May. From there, he plans on joining his future team right away. Steen will have two years of eligibility remaining at Alabama.

According to his father, Daris Steen, the lineman’s biggest draw to the Crimson Tide is the program’s commitment to excellence.

“You can tell everybody’s playing there to win,” Daris said. “They’re training to win, and that was apparent from the practices.”

Alabama has already brought in three transfers this offseason, adding receiver Jermaine Burton from Georgia as well as running back Jahmyr Gibbs from Georgia Tech and defensive back Eli Ricks from LSU. All three players are projected to take on significant roles for the Crimson Tide this season.

Gallery: Tyler Steen

Photo | George Walker IV / Tennessean.com, Nashville Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Photo | Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

Photo | Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

Photo | Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Photo | George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK