The college football regular season is over and in the rear view mirror. For many teams, they're on to the College Football Playoff. However, with Alabama football left out, they're focusing on their bowl game. However, the downside of missing the playoffs is it means the focus shifts heavily to the transfer portal. With the season over, many players are now deciding to go ahead and part ways, entering the portal to find a new home.

For Alabama, cornerback DeVonta Smith has entered the portal, according to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports. Yes, he shares the same name as the Eagles' wide receiver. However, he won't finish his career with Alabama the same way.

The fourth-year cornerback played in all 12 games for the Crimson Tide this season. In total, he finished with 30 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and five pass deflections. 2024 was the first season in his career he received serious starting time. The former four-star recruit will have one year of eligibility left.

Alabama football players not opting out of bowl game

Related Alabama Football NewsArticle continues below
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick attends Bay Golf Club against Atlanta Drive GC in the TGL semifinal match at SoFi Center on March 18, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Michael Vick strengthens Norfolk State defense in transfer portal
The Michigan Wolverines offensive line, including Zak Zinter (65), Olusegun Oluwatimi (55), Giovanni El-Hadi (58) and Ryan Hayes (76), and tight ends Matthew Hibner (88) and Joel Honigford, get set against the Illinois Fighting Illini
5-star Michigan football target gets real on upcoming visit
Michigan Wolverines Michigan Wolverines offensive lines coach Sherrone Moore gestures from the sideline during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium.
Michigan football makes 4-star OT’s final 4
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer encourages his team as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Auburn Tigers 28-14.
Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In the modern era of college football, opting out is the normal for bowl games. Many view them as meaningless games that are just risking injury when you have the NFL Draft to look forward to. As a result, most teams see some of their best players opt out rather than finishing the season off with one last game.

That isn't the case for Alabama, though. If you may remember a couple of years ago, Bryce Young, Will Anderson Jr. and company didn't opt out in order to stay loyal to the team as well as prove the CFP Committee wrong. They blew out Kansas State. Now, Jalen Milroe and company are doing the same thing against Michigan.

Milroe, in addition to teammates Jihaad Campbell and Tyler Booker, have all stated they will play in the bowl game and will not be opting out. In terms of the game, it's huge and gives them a much higher likelihood of winning. In terms of culture, though, it means the world. It shows that despite all that's gone on, the core of Alabama's roster is loyal to the team and winning together. It may not sound like much, but it's a good sign for the future of the program.