Casagrande: The stark reality behind Alabama’s 5-star transfer ploy, what’s to come

There’s still a long way to go and the Crimson Tide will be visiting some high-profile portal dwellers. So the turnstile rotates in both directions.

But this is part of an ever-evolving reality that needs to be accepted rather than celebrated.

The days when every top player was placed in prime positions are over. The 2017 signing course is not possible in today’s environment. Alabama signed three of the top five receivers ranked by 247Sports this year. Each played their entire college careers in Tuscaloosa before being selected in the first round of various NFL drafts.

Crazy in today’s context.

Adding NIL enticements to the relaxed transfer rules leveled the playing field that had long favored college football’s Alabamas. While the Crimson Tide may sign and retain one of the top receivers and some pretty good ones, their SEC counterparts now have the resources to split those power combinations.

The rich didn’t get richer.

The wealth is just distributed.

This brings us back to the questions of loyalty and commitment to a particular roster. Here, Mbakwe and Williams’ Instagram rollercoaster left the chronically online stars with red eyes and a mouth full of vomit.

Mbakwe, one of the first additions to the Tide’s 2024 signing class, was among the most outspoken sellers of all things Crimson. He was instrumental in both of Williams’ commitments – both before and after Nick Saban’s retirement – as the two brought a unique bond to the program during the transition period. They even have a podcast together.

So it was concerning to see Mbakwe’s social media post on Monday in which he described his intention to enter the transfer portal as a “business decision.” If someone signed since July 2022 could leave after just one season, who else could join him?

How much is this loyalty worth?

“Bingo, we have action,” came not long after Mbakwe’s post and the online sensation began. Speculation began as to which SEC rival was throwing money at the five-star prospects who stuck with Alabama in the fallout from Saban’s mushroom cloud.

As previous 4- and 5-star candidates left the company, the number of hits increased. Emmanual Henderson, Justice Haynes, Kendrick Law and Jahiem Oatis were out.

There were four receivers in the net, but cornerback Mbakwe cut deep, not only because of his potential but also because of his commitment to the program.

The prospect of losing Williams, still more than a month away from turning 18, would be catastrophic.

An empire held its collective ass and updated Instagram until the virtual all-clear siren sounded. First Mbakwe deleted his statement of intent to transfer, then Williams dusted off a five-year-old NFL clip to calm worried prisoners on an app.

“I don’t think we’re done yet,” was Rams cornerback Marcus Peters’ response in a 2019 press conference and in the video Williams used to end the standoff/vigil on social media.

Mbakwe then shared it alongside a meme from “The Wolf of Wall Street” with the text “I’m not leavin'” over a photo of Leonardo DiCaprio.

The entire saga lasted less than 24 hours but highlighted the volatility of the moment. Rivals need to spend money and make statements by raiding Alabama’s locker room. The upcoming introduction of revenue sharing will allow programs to generate large revenues from high-profile targets.

With an estimated $15 million to $17 million in additional money flowing through these football programs, things are about to get wilder in the West.

It’s also worth asking how much of an impact all of this is having on relationships within the program. But this is the same locker room where offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor not only entered the portal last year, but transferred to Iowa for a few months before returning to Tuscaloosa and starting every game healthy.

Business decisions.

Days like these are why Saban lives his TV life instead of decoding Instagram pictures.

Another warning shot about the changing landscape that Kalen DeBoer and his fans in purple must navigate.

Alabama’s ramparts held strong this time, but the attacking forces will be back.

DeBoer went on defense and tended an artery to a bleeding cadre while the marauders still circled.

Just the reality in a battle on multiple fronts over squad management as 2024 turns into 2025.

“Bingo,” as they say, “we’ve got action.”

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or further Facebook.