Alabama players with ties to the Ducks

Wednesday brought news that seemingly no one in the college football world expected: legendary Alabama football coach Nick Saban is retiring and the Crimson Tide will be looking for a replacement head coach.

While there was speculation that Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning would be Alabama’s next guy, it was announced Thursday morning that Lanning is staying in Oregon.

Following Saban’s retirement, schools around the country will be clamoring to land Alabama players who don’t want to play for whoever the new Crimson Tide coach is. Alabama players will have a 30-day window into the NCAA transfer portal following Saban’s retirement.

Below, I’ve compiled a list of the eight Crimson Tide players I think the Ducks are most likely to pursue if they decide to transfer. All of these situations are hypotheticals, and I’m thinking several steps ahead here. But there will inevitably be Crimson Tide players who decide to transfer after Saban’s retirement, and these eight players are who I think Oregon is most likely to pursue.

Kadyn Proctor – Sophomore OT

If Dan Lanning and the Ducks are going to pick up any of Alabama’s former recruits, Kadyn Proctor is the most likely candidate. The freshman offensive tackle — who played 811 snaps in his first college season — was heavily recruited by Lanning and the Ducks before his commitment to the Crimson Tide. And, after the success of Oregon’s offensive line in 2023, the Ducks have to be at the top of Proctor’s list if he decides he wants out of Tuscaloosa.

Richard Young – Redshirt Freshman RB

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Like Proctor, Richard Young is another player whom Oregon was in the running to land right until his commitment to Alabama. Young was a 4-star running back and the No. 7 ranked RB in the class of 2023, but he only took 12 snaps in his freshman season. Young may hit the portal following Saban’s retirement, but…