‘Company decision’: Bama WR Bond to join Texas

• Pete Thamel, ESPNJan 14, 2024, 12:03 PM ET Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Bond has actually dedicated to Texas, which he called a “service decision” in the wake of coach Nick Saban’s retirement.

  “Just like business world, you make the very best choice for your company,” Bond informed ESPN in a phone interview Sunday. “My business right now is my draft stock. I seem like I’m putting myself in position to increase that and have better draft stock.”

  Bond, who simply completed his sophomore year, went to Texas this weekend and committed to the personnel during the visit.Editor’s Picks

2 Associated Bond was the very first Alabama player to go into the NCAA transfer website upon Saban’s retirement. He will bet Steve Sarkisian, a previous Alabama offensive organizer who led Texas to the College Football Playoff in his 3rd season in Austin.Bond said his

reason for leaving Alabama was straight tied to Saban’s retirement. He had actually devoted to stay another year and then reversed course after the sudden announcement.

“One hundred percent,” he said. “That was the choice why I left.”

Bond said new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer reached out and that he didn’t get back to him. Bond stated Sarkisian hired him difficult to Texas out of high school and they gained back that connection rapidly this weekend. He said Sarkisian, who is Texas’ offending playcaller, is among the best offending minds in college football.

“I like the entire package that features it,” Bond stated of Texas. “Fantastic quarterback, they have a great offensive line. I seemed like it was a great spot for me to come to.”

Bond led Alabama in catches this season and will be among Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers’ primary targets in 2024. Bond was an ESPN top-100 hire who completed this season with 48 catches, 668 lawns and four getting touchdowns.He is a 5-foot-11, 182-pound receiver who will enter the 2024 season as a true junior and in the middle of the leading grouping of pass receivers for the 2025 NFL draft. Bond was on the receiving end of among the 2023 season’s most famous plays, snaring the fourth-and-31 goal hand down the play called”Gravedigger “to beat Auburn.Bond must remain in much better position to catch more passes in 2024. In one fewer game, Ewers threw the ball 110 more times than Jalen Milroe.Asked whether catching balls from Ewers was a destination, Bond said:” One hundred percent

. He’s an excellent big-time pocket passer quarterback. He’s a leading pick in the draft next year. I’m likewise going to be a leading pick. It’s going to be a great duo. “Signing up with Texas must provide Bond a possibility to showcase his abilities in a wide-open offense that will be greatly dependent on the pass.Ewers revealed today that he is returning for his senior season,

a move that will forecast him amongst the top of the 2025 draft class. Texas likewise revives a skilled offensive line, led by left take on Kelvin Banks, an increasing junior who projects as a top tackle in 2024. Texas loses its leading 3 pass receivers from this season and its leading 5 pass-catchers(Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington, tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and tailback Jonathon Brooks) to the NFL.Texas has also added former Houston wide receiver Matthew Golden in this transfer class. He had 13 goal catches in 2 seasons for the Cougars. Texas likewise has expressed interest in Oregon State transfer Silas Bolden.Bond stated together with clicking with Sarkisian, he is looking forward to working under pass receivers coach Chris Jackson, who has five years of experience training NFL receivers.”It was truly a business choice, “Bond said.”I’m not taking any hatred in my heart. Nothing personal. I’m going to do what’s best for me and my household.”