Eli Holstein, the quarterback for Alabama football, has reportedly logged into the transfer portal, per 247Sports. Holstein did not play for Alabama in any of the games this season.
Holstein’s departure was announced shortly after it was revealed that Ty Simpson, the backup quarterback for the Crimson Tide, is anticipated to stay at Alabama. With Dylan Lonergan’s intentions still unknown and Jalen Milroe returning, the move resulted in a packed room at the position. Julian Sayin, a five-star, also joined.
Holstein, a four-star prospect from Zachary, Louisiana, transferred to Alabama. In terms of quarterbacks in the class of 2023, he was ranked eighth by the 247Sports composite.
He turned down offers from Texas A&M, Auburn, Arkansas, and other schools in favor of Alabama. Among the flurry of Alabama players who accessed the portal on Wednesday was him.
In the College Football Playoff semifinals, Alabama’s season ended on Monday when the Crimson Tide fell to Michigan in overtime. Alabama gets an additional window after competing in the CFP, even though the transfer portal entry window for the majority of FBS players has ended.
Holstein, who weighs 237 pounds and stands 6 feet 4 inches, is the second quarterback to depart Alabama this offseason. Tyler Buchner has previously declared his desire to play lacrosse at Notre Dame instead of football for the Crimson Tide.
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Crimson Tide WR Malik Benson Enters Transfer Portal
After transferring from Hutchinson Community College, Benson played for Alabama for just one season.
A different receiver from Alabama is trying to find housing.
Multiple reports state that Junior Malik Benson entered the transfer portal on Wednesday. After transferring in from Hutchinson Community College in January, he had 13 receptions for 162 yards and one touchdown this season.
Benson did play on Monday at the Rose Bowl, but he was without an official target or reception.
Benson told BamaCentral last week at Rose Bowl Media Day that he had originally intended to transfer to Alabama so he could play for Nick Saban.
Benson stated, “It was just really what brought me to be coached by Coach Saban.” “After that, it’s simply an amazing team. Alabama is a fantastic place for development, so choosing it was not too difficult.”
After gaining 2,152 yards and 21 touchdowns in his two seasons at Hutchinson, Benson was one of the most highly-regarded junior college prospects on the portal in the offseason. He did not, however, experience the same level of success with the Crimson Tide. While he did start multiple games at wide receiver, he never finished a game with more than three catches. The junior wide receiver was one of the team’s best blockers even though he wasn’t targeted very often.
He scored his season’s lone touchdown in the 66-10 victory over Chattanooga. A 33-yard reception by Benson against Auburn that set up Alabama’s first Iron Bowl touchdown may have been the player’s longest catch of the year.
At least eight players, including Benson, have accessed the transfer portal since Alabama’s season concluded on Monday with a Rose Bowl loss to Michigan. He will still be eligible for one more year.
