Alabama Players Comment on Crimson Tide's Defensive Transfer Portal Additions

LOS ANGELES— Alabama may be in the middle of another College Football Playoff run with a looming matchup against No. 1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl, and Nick Saban was locked in at Thursday's practice, but that hasn't slowed down the Crimson Tide head coach on the recruiting trail. 

Not only did Alabama sign a top class on Early Signing Day, but the Crimson Tide has already added two key defensive pieces from the transfer portal in Texas A&M defensive lineman LT Overton and USC cornerback Domani Jackson. 

Overton traveled with the team to California for the Rose Bowl (even though he will not be eligible to play in the game), and Jackson committed to Alabama Thursday night after being spotted at the team's practice earlier in the day. 

Current Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore said he's familiar with the USC defensive back because he hosted Jackson on his visit to Alabama as a recruit. Jackson was a high school teammate of Bryce Young's at Mater Dei and was highly recruited by Alabama coming out of high school as a five-star prospect. 

 Moore said he didn't get to catch up with Jackson at practice, but shared what his advice would be for the newest addition to the Crimson Tide. 

"Just be ready to come in and work," Moore said Friday morning. "It’s really a unique experience to go against the best of the best each and every day.”

Moore participated in Senior Day in November, but does still have another year of eligibility because of the COVID waiver and could return to play with Jackson next season. However, Moore said he's just focused on the College Football Playoff for now and has not made a decision about his future yet. 

Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner remembers Jackson from high school. He also has watched a lot of film on Overton when he was studying Texas A&M's pass rushing success in the SEC. 

"He brings a lot of pass rush [ability,] very physical," Turner said about Overton. "A big body as well. I feel like he can play to the standard we play at at the University of Alabama."