Woodson becomes the third player to commit to the Crimson Tide via the transfer portal so far. Former Oklahoma State tight end Josh Ford made his decision to join Alabama before the season ended. Meanwhile, NC State transfer running back Hollywood Smothers made his commitment on Monday.

With Deontae Lawson, Nikhai Hill-Green and Justin Jefferson all gone, Alabama has found its first answer to fill its linebacker room in 2026.

Alabama Wolf linebacker Qua Russaw, who was a starter at the position this past season as a redshirt sophomore, has entered the transfer portal. The news was first reported by CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. Russaw had 14 total tackles (and one sack) in 2025.

Woodson is the third transfer portal addition for Alabama so far this offseason, as well as the second this week. The Crimson Tide previously landed a commitment Monday night from former NC State standout Hollywood Smothers, one of the top running backs in the transfer portal.

On3's Hayes Fawcett announced that Noah Carter, a Wolf outside linebacker out of Peoria, Arizona, would enter the transfer portal, following offensive lineman Olaus Alinen as the 10th Crimson Tide player to enter after the 2025 season.

Alabama football added a veteran presence to its linebacker room with a commitment from Virginia Tech transfer, Caleb Woodson The Crimson Tide is losing three veteran inside linebackers to the NFL.

Carter is the latest Alabama player to enter the transfer portal. He joins Joseph Ionata, Olaus Alinen, Richard Young, Jaylen Mbakwe, Roq Montgomery, Kameron Howard and Bubba Hampton. Carter is only the second defensive player behind Howard to make plans to go into the portal.

The winter transfer portal window opened officially on Friday, and many Alabama players made their intentions to depart the program for other schools. One of those players was redshirt freshman Wolf linebacker Noah Carter, whose agent, Marlon Lindsey, shared the decision with ESPN.

The Alabama linebacker had 50 total tackles during his three seasons in Tuscaloosa, a majority of which came during a breakout 2024 campaign.

Alabama football adds veteran LB Caleb Woodson from Virginia Tech, addressing major linebacker losses and boosting the Tide's 2026 defense.

Former Virginia Tech linebacker Caleb Woodson has committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide football program from the transfer portal according to On3 Sports' Hayes Fawcett. Woodson began his career as a defensive back, but has spent the last two seasons at linebacker and will have one year of eligibility remaining.