Outside linebacker Eyabi Anoma has entered the NCAA’s transfer portal, according to multiple reports.
Entering the transfer portal does not mean a player is transferring, but allows other schools to contact and recruit the player. Players can also choose to have their name removed from the portal.
Anoma just completed his true freshman season in Tuscaloosa, playing in 12 games and totaling nine tackles with two tackles for loss. He was a five-star recruit ranked as the No. 4 overall player in the nation in the class of 2018.
Henry Russell, Anoma’s high school coach at St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) declined comment when reached by phone.
St. Frances had become a recent recruiting pipeline for the Crimson Tide. In addition to Anoma, Alabama has two early enrollees from the class of 2019 from St. Frances. Linebacker Shane Lee and offensive lineman Darrian Dalcourt both signed in December. Defensive end Chris Braswell is also committed in the class of 2020.
Anoma missed one day of practice in December but quickly returned and was with the team during the College Football Playoff.
“He has a personal day, I guess, to sort some things out,” coach Nick Saban said when Anoma wasn’t at practice. Hopefully we’ll be able to get him back on track here soon.”
If Anoma chooses to transfer, Alabama will return redshirt senior Anfernee Jennings, redshirt junior Terrell Lewis and redshirt sophomore Chris Allen as its top outside linebackers for 2019. Redshirt junior Ben Davis is also back. Freshmen Jarez Parks and Cameron Latu were in the same recruiting class as Anoma but both redshirted.
