Alabama Transfers Shine in 2026 NFL Draft: Caleb Downs Goes 11th to Cowboys

Three players who began their college careers at the University of Alabama were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Safety Caleb Downs led this group, going 11th overall in the first round to the Dallas Cowboys.

The 2026 NFL Draft highlighted a growing trend in college football: high-profile transfers achieving professional success. Following Nick Saban's retirement from the University of Alabama, several key players entered the transfer portal, seeking new opportunities. Their subsequent draft selections underscore the increasing impact of player movement in the current collegiate landscape, demonstrating that a single-program career path is not the sole route to the NFL.

Caleb Downs, a safety, became the highest-drafted transfer from Alabama, selected 11th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round. Downs spent one season with the Crimson Tide, leading the team in tackles as a freshman during the 2023 football season. He earned the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award before transferring to Ohio State.

Two additional former Alabama players also heard their names called. Wide receiver Kendrick Law was selected 168th overall in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions. Law played for Alabama from 2022 to 2024, recording 343 receiving yards and one touchdown on 33 receptions across three seasons before his transfer to Kentucky.

Malik Benson, another wide receiver, joined the professional ranks as the Las Vegas Raiders selected him 195th overall in the sixth round. Benson played one season for Alabama in 2023, where he caught 13 passes for 162 yards. He later transferred to Florida State and Oregon.

These selections demonstrate that players leveraging the transfer portal can still reach the highest level of professional football. For college programs, this activity signals the dynamic nature of roster construction in an era of increased player mobility. Top talent can shift programs and maintain high draft stock, directly impacting team building strategies across the NCAA. The ability of players to transition and still be valued highly by NFL teams points to evolving talent evaluation methods. Future NFL drafts will continue to reflect how players navigate these new pathways to professional careers.