Reserve Alabama Linebacker Enters Transfer Portal

Shawn Murphy appeared in all 13 games last season, but only totaled three tackles in mostly a special teams role for the Crimson Tide.

Another Alabama player has entered the transfer portal following the retirement of Nick Saban. 

Reserve linebacker Shawn Murphy entered the portal Saturday according to multiple reports. 

Murphy struggled to find consistent playing time over his team two seasons with Alabama. The redshirt freshman appeared in all 13 games for the Crimson Tide last season, but mainly in a special teams role with a few backups reps on defense. Over the 13 games, Murphy only totaled three tackles.

In his freshman season in 2022, Murphy appeared in five games with two tackles and a pass breakups. He was a four-star product out of high school in Virginia, winning the 2021 high school Butkus Award. 

Murphy is the fourth Alabama player to enter the transfer portal since Nick Saban announced his retirement joining wide receiver Isaiah Bond and defensive backs Dezz Ricks and Antonio Kite. He will have three years of eligibility remaining. 

New Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was officially introduced Saturday afternoon and said roster poaching is definitely an issue he's having to combat. DeBoer shared his pitch to players in trying to keep them at Alabaa. 

"I try to show them a little bit of my vision but I’ve also told them you can’t buy into my vision until you truly know me,” DeBoer said. “Just give me a chance to show you a few of the things. I’m going to listen to you, I’m going to meet you where you’re at right now."

See also:

Coming and Going: Alabama 2024 Offseason Roster Tracker