After a series of transfer departures, Alabama has finally added a scholarship commitment through the portal. Former Florida defensive lineman Kelby Collins committed to the Crimson Tide on Tuesday night. The Gardendale, Alabama native has two years of eligibility remaining.

Collins earned Freshman All-SEC honors in 2023 and recorded 23 tackles, including 1.5 sacks, along with four quarterback hurries, a pass deflection and a forced fumble. However, he struggled this season with a position switch to a three-tech role at defensive tackle, resulting in limited playing time. Alabama will likely look to push the 6-foot-1, 220-pound defender back to the sidelines in his bandit role.

Alabama has used junior LT Overton and redshirt senior Jah-Marien Latham as its two primary players at the bandit position this season. Both players are eligible to return next year but face NFL draft decisions. The Tide also returns rising redshirt sophomores Jordan Renaud, Keon Keeley and Jeremiah Beamon. Along with Collins, Alabama added JUCO transfer Kevonte Henry as part of its signing class.

Alabama recruited Collins out of high school. The former four-star recruit signed with Florida as the No. 52 overall player and No. 6 defensive end in the 2023 class.

While Collins is Alabama’s first portal scholarship player, the Tide previously added a pair of preferred walk-ons in punter Blake Doud (Colorado Mines) and long snapper David Bird (California).