Alright, let’s get real for a sec. If you’re an Alabama fan, this offseason has been like watching your favorite sitcom get canceled halfway through the season—just heartbreak after heartbreak. First, the Crimson Tide missed the playoffs, then they coughed up a 19-13 bowl loss to Michigan on New Year’s Eve, and now a former 4-star safety with untapped potential is packing his bags again. Yep, the guy who was supposed to be a key piece in Kalen DeBoer’s defensive rebuild is now dipping out after one season. Another crucial blow for Kalen DeBoer and Bama.

Enter: King Muck. The former 4-star, King Mack, played 1 season at Penn State before transferring to Bama, where he did not see much field time. Now, with Bama, Mack’s departure isn’t just a loss; it’s a headline-maker. This dude played in 13 games, switching between safety, cornerback, and Husky roles while chipping in on special teams. Sure, his numbers—14 tackles and some rotational snaps—won’t knock your socks off, but Mack had versatility.

His most extensive game action came against Tennessee, where he logged 38 snaps. Unfortunately, his performance that day was more ‘meh’ than memorable, with a Pro Football Focus grade of 34.5 (yeah, that’s rough). But let’s not sugarcoat it—Alabama’s coaching carousel didn’t help at all. Safeties coach Colin Hitschler was low-key shown the door a few hours before Mack entered the portal. Coincidence? Most likely not.

Now, Mack joins a long list of Tide players bolting for the portal this cycle—he’s the 5th since the Michigan game and the 18th overall. Ain’t gonna lie, that’s diabolical. That’s enough for an entire squad, y’all! Wideouts, linebackers, defensive backs—you name it, Alabama’s losing it left and right. See, it’s not just quantity; it’s quality.

Some of these players, like Mack, were penciled in as potential starters for next season. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack once called Mack “instinctive” and a “gamer,” but those instincts will now benefit someone else’s defense. You’ve gotta wonder: What’s going on in Tuscaloosa?

DeBoer came in with big expectations, but Year 1 under his watch has been a bumpy ride. Missing the playoffs? Strike 1. Losing the Bowl game? Strike 2. Watching players flee like the Titanic is sinking? That’s dangerously close to strike 3. Ain’t gonna lie, Kalen DeBoer’s on thin ice. Mack’s exit feels like another domino falling, adding to the Tide’s growing list of offseason woes.

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama on this transfer portal saga

So, where does Alabama go from here? The portal giveth and the portal taketh away, right? While the Roll-Tide has lost Big-time talents, they’ve also low-key pulled in some big fish, like DL Kelby Collins from Florida, CB Cameron Calhoun from Utah, offensive lineman Kam Dewberry from A&M, went on and grabbed Cam Ward’s go-t0-guy WR Isaiah Horton from Mario Cristobal’s Hurricane, and snatched Deion’s Sanders’ LB Nikhai Hill-Green from Boulder. But let’s be honest—this isn’t the type of dominance we’re used to seeing from Alabama. See, 6 wide receivers gone in 1 cycle? That’s a red flag waving in the wind.

With the portal window set to close in just two days, the Tide needs to lock in reinforcements fast. Key positions like safety, wide receiver, and linebacker remain glaring needs. DeBoer and his staff have made some solid additions, but the question lingers: Is it enough to stay competitive in the ruthless SEC? Losing King Mack may not cripple the Tide, but it adds another log to the fire of uncertainty.

Anyway, Alabama’s future hinges on how they navigate this chaotic portal era. Will DeBoer’s Tide rise, or is this the beginning of a slow decline? One thing’s for sure—Crimson Tide fans better buckle up because this offseason isn’t slowing down anytime soon. And who knows? Maybe Mack’s departure is just the wake-up call Alabama needs to recalibrate and reload.