Alabama Redshirt Freshman Tight End Planning to Enter Transfer Portal
Ty Lockwood, a redshirt freshman tight end for the Alabama Crimson Tide, is reportedly planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. Should Lockwood officially follow through with this decision, he will become the 20th player to enter the portal from Alabama’s football program this offseason. The talented tight end has three years of eligibility remaining, and his decision to transfer comes after a limited role during the 2023 season.
Lockwood, a 6-foot-5, 239-pound athlete from Independence High School in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee, was one of the top recruits in the class of 2023. As a four-star prospect, he was ranked as the No. 14 tight end in the country and the No. 4 player in the state of Tennessee. However, his first season at Alabama saw him make only minimal contributions on the field, with appearances in just two games. Despite his high school pedigree, he struggled to carve out significant playing time in a tight end room that was stacked with talent and depth.
If Lockwood follows through with his plan to transfer, he will be the latest in a growing list of players leaving the Alabama program. As of now, he would be the 20th player to enter the transfer portal. Some of the notable names who have already decided to leave the team include quarterback Dylan Lonergan, running back Justice Haynes, and defensive linemen Jeheim Oatis, Hunter Osborne, and Damon Payne Jr. Additionally, several edge rushers such as Keanu Koht and Jayshawn Ross, as well as linebacker Jeremiah Alexander, cornerbacks Jahlil Hurley and DeVonta Smith, and wide receivers like Kobe Prentice, Caleb Odom, and Kendrick Law, are among the players seeking opportunities elsewhere. The exodus extends across multiple positions, including offensive linemen Miles McVay and Naquil Betrand, safety King Mack, and more.
The tight end position at Alabama was particularly crowded in 2023, and this depth likely contributed to Lockwood’s limited role. The starting tight end, CJ Dippre, and versatile player Robbie Ouzts, who can contribute in multiple positions, were both key contributors to the offense and are now moving on, as both will be out of eligibility after the 2023 season. However, despite these departures, the tight end position will still feature a strong group for the 2025 season. Along with the returning players, Alabama is set to bring in high-level talent with the addition of 2025 signees Kaleb Edwards and Marshall Pritchett, both of whom are expected to compete for playing time.
One notable development regarding the tight end room is the recent decision of Danny Lewis Jr. to rescind his name from the transfer portal. After initially entering the portal, Lewis reconsidered and decided to remain at Alabama. This move helps solidify the depth at tight end, ensuring that the team will have some continuity in the position for the upcoming seasons. Furthermore, Alabama still has scholarship tight ends Josh Cuevas and Jay Lindsey on the roster, adding further stability to the unit. With Lockwood’s potential departure, there will still be a healthy competition at the tight end position moving forward.
Lockwood’s decision to enter the transfer portal could be seen as a result of several factors. Most notably, the strong competition within the tight end room likely made it difficult for him to find meaningful playing time. The presence of experienced players like Dippre and Ouzts, combined with the upcoming talent that Alabama has recruited, likely made it hard for Lockwood to envision a prominent role in the offense. As a result, seeking a new opportunity through the transfer portal could give him a better chance to showcase his skills and potentially earn a starting position at another school.
The trend of players entering the transfer portal is becoming increasingly common across college football, as athletes look for programs that will offer them the chance to play regularly and develop their skills. For many players, the transfer portal represents an opportunity to move to a school where they can secure more playing time and further their development as athletes. Lockwood’s decision is a part of this larger trend, and given his talent and potential, it’s likely that he will have no shortage of suitors once his name officially hits the portal.
In the end, Lockwood’s potential departure from Alabama is a sign of the challenges that come with navigating a roster full of talent at a program like Alabama. With the Crimson Tide consistently bringing in high-level recruits, the competition for playing time is fierce, and players like Lockwood must make difficult decisions about their futures. Whether he decides to transfer or stay at Alabama, his decision will be one to watch closely as it could have significant implications for his career and the future of Alabama’s tight end position.
