Alabama’s Surprise Setback: How Georgia Tech Snatched Away a 4-Star EDGE Recruit

Alabama football’s post-Rose Bowl hangover shows no signs of easing up anytime soon. Just when you thought things couldn’t get rougher after that heartbreaking loss, the Crimson Tide finds itself hemorrhaging talent—this time on the edges. Noah Carter, once a highly touted four-star edge rusher, has decided to take his talents to Georgia Tech, leaving Alabama scrambling to fill a critical hole on defense. It makes you wonder—how does a team with such a storied reputation keep losing key pieces right after the big stage? And while Alabama’s enduring this roster reshuffle under Kalen DeBoer, they’re also dipping into the transfer portal for reinforcements, snagging some promising names like Devan Thompkins from USC and bolstering special teams with Adam Watford. But is it enough to patch the cracks from that Pasadena debacle? One thing’s for sure: the Crimson Tide’s offseason drama is anything but boring. LEARN MORE.

Alabama football stacked more losses after its Rose Bowl abomination. The Crimson Tide lost one offensive line option to the portal. Now they lose one of their top edge rushers to Georgia Tech.

Noah Carter shut down his recruitment and decided on Georgia Tech, with Hayes Fawcett of On3/Rivals confirming the move Saturday. He entered the College Football Transfer Portal with three years left.

Carter appeared to be heading for the Atlantic Coast Conference anyway. He visited Florida State on Tuesday according to Noles247. Although he also visited Arizona State after the Rose Bowl defeat.

The Yellow Jackets nab a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defender who rose to four-star status out of high school. He re-earned his four stars, this time in the portal rankings per 247Sports.

Has Alabama gained new talent after Rose Bowl loss?

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer talks on the sideline Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during the Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against Indiana Hoosiers at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif. — Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Tide are witnessing a roster exodus once again under Kalen DeBoer as head coach.

This doesn’t mean Alabama isn’t attracting portal talent. They boosted the 2026 defensive line with Devan Thompkins on Wednesday — a standout from USC.

He was widely regarded in the portal after collecting 55 tackles over the course of two seasons. He also piled nine tackles for a loss.

‘Bama bolstered the special teams unit too in the portal. North Alabama punter Adam Watford joined Alabama on Friday.

But some players also recommitted to Alabama, in the form of re-signing. Austin Mack chose to pull the feat, rejoining the Crimson Tide for the ’26 season.

Alabama still has lots of pieces to pick up from its Pasadena debacle on New Year’s Day. Now it must find new edge rush options with Carter officially gone.

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