Bama’s Bond 1st in portal considering that Saban retired

• Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff WriterJan 12, 2024, 01:43 PM ET

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  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Graduated from Central Michigan

Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond entered his name in the transfer website on Friday, ending up being the very first Crimson Tide player to do so because Nick Saban revealed his retirement.Bond was 2nd on the group in getting lawns this season with 668 and also had 4 getting goals in 14 games played. He was a sophomore this season and will have two years of eligibility remaining.Bond took advantage of the NCAA guideline that offers players on a group who lose their head coach a 30-day window to enter their name in the transfer portal without penalty and maintain immediate eligibility. One concern Bond might need to deal with is that spring terms are getting under way and he would require to go through the admissions procedure to get enrolled if he wants to be qualified for the spring.With his name officially in the transfer website within the 30-day window, he does not

need to decide on a new school within that 30-day window. Going into the transfer website just announces his intent to transfer and allows other coaches to communicate with him.It also doesn’t necessarily indicate that Bond has to leave Alabama. If Bond decides he wants to play for the new coach, he is able to withdraw his name from the portal and stay at Alabama, so this move gives him options.Given his skill, experience and the reality that there aren’t many other uncommitted players in the transfer website at this time, he needs to have numerous suitors.Bond is the first to get in considering that Saban left, but he is now the 18th scholarship player from Alabama who has gone into the transfer website since the end of the season.