Alabama football took a hit today, losing multiple potential 2023 contributors, as both Christian Leary and Traeshon Holden announced their intentions to transfer today.
I want to thank The University of Alabama and the coaching staff for an unforgettable 2 years. Thank you for the opportunity and the knowledge I have gained throughout that time, in saying that I will be entering the transfer portal.
— Christian Leary (@ChristianLeary4) November 30, 2022
To the Alabama Family, I would like to thank coach Saban and the entire Alabama coaching staff for everything that you have done for me while I was a student-athlete here. Having said that, I would to announce that I will be entering the transfer portal effective immediately.
— Traeshon Holden (@Traeski11) November 30, 2022
Christian Leary’s Impact
The Sophomore from Orlando was a consensus top 100 recruit coming out of high school. 247 Sports ranked Leary the 75th best prospect nationally, and as the 14th best wide receiver prospect in the country. Many were excited about Leary’s prospects this year, following what was seen as a breakout A-Day performance working with back-ups Jaylen Milroe and Ty Simpson. On the day Leary ended with a line of 5 catches for 106 yards and 1 TD, and flashed plenty of upside. However, this season Leary has failed to separate himself in a crowded wide receiver room with limited game action and seemed to lose reps to players like Isiah Bond and Kendrick Law. Leary took snaps in 10 of 12 games, mainly on special teams and working in mop-up duty. Leary registered his only stats this season in the opener against Utah State catching one pass for six yards.
Traeshon Holden’s Impact
The loss of Traeshon Holden is arguably a harder pill to swallow for Alabama football fans. The Junior from Kissimmee, Florida had worked his way into a steady part of the wide receiver rotation. Holden burst onto the scene to open the season against Utah State finishing with five grabs for 70 yards and 2 TD’s and remained a steady presence the rest of the season. Holden finished the season with 25 catches for 331 yards and 6 TD’s. If this is the end of the Holden era in Alabama, the Junior went out with a bang, finishing the season by taking a screen pass to the house last week in the Iron Bowl.
Alabama Football Portal so Far
Leary and Holden become the sixth and seventh players overall to announce their intentions to transfer following: Damieon George, Trey Sanders, Khyree Jackson, Jack Martin, and Braylen Ingraham. This has become standard practice in today’s college football landscape.
It’s safe to say that Leary and Holden won’t be the last Alabama football players to transfer, and it will be interesting to see what Nick Saban does in the portal to replace this depth. Hopefully, this is just a product of a very competitive Wide Receiver room and not enough touches to go around and not a sign of future problems to come.
Good luck to Christian and Traeshon in whatever comes next, and thanks for your contributions to Alabama football.
