Reports: 'Bama WR Isaiah Bond 1st to hit portal after Nick Saban's exit

Field Level Media|published: Sat 13th January, 24:46 2024

Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Bond (17) runs for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. credits: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Two days after Nick Saban retired from his head-coaching role at Alabama, Crimson Tide receiver Isaiah Bond entered the transfer portal, multiple media outlets reported on Friday.

Bond is the first Crimson Tide player looking to exit in the wake of the program's change at the top. Alabama settled on former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer as Saban's replacement on Friday.

Even if he leaves, Bond will always be remembered in Tuscaloosa for one of the great plays in the history of the Iron Bowl rivalry with Auburn.

On fourth-and-goal from the Auburn 31-yard line in the last minute, Bond caught a touchdown pass from Jalen Milroe in the corner of the end zone to give the Crimson Tide a stunning 27-24 win on Nov. 25.

The victory gave Alabama momentum entering the Southeastern Conference championship game, which it won by the same 27-24 score against then-No. 1 Georgia. The Crimson Tide subsequently lost to Michigan in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.

Bond, a sophomore, finished the season with 48 catches for 688 yards and four touchdowns. He had 17 receptions for 220 yards and one score as a freshman.

The Crimson Tide now have multiple vacancies in their receiving corps, as Malik Benson transferred to Florida State and Jermaine Burton declared for the NFL draft.

—Field Level Media

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