New Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer talks with the media in his introductory press conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. DeBoer is replacing the recently retired Nick Saban. (Vasha Hunt / The Associated Press)New Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer talks with the… (Vasha Hunt / The Associated Press)More Mike Vorel By Mike VorelSeattle Times staff reporterKalen DeBoer didn’t just leave.He took some talent with him.In the nearly two weeks since DeBoer traded Washington for Alabama, four Huskies have followed to Tuscaloosa — junior wide receiver Germie Bernard, sophomore center Parker Brailsford, redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Mack and true freshman edge Noah Carter.Carter — a 6-foot-4, 228-pound pass-rusher and former four-star recruit — announced his Crimson Tide commitment Thursday, after completing an Alabama official visit last weekend. He initially signed with Washington last month but was subsequently released from his national letter of intentNew Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer talks with the media in his introductory press conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. DeBoer is replacing the recently retired Nick Saban. (Vasha Hunt / The Associated Press)New Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer talks with the… (Vasha Hunt / The Associated Press)More Mike Vorel By Mike VorelSeattle Times staff reporterKalen DeBoer didn’t just leave.He took some talent with him.In the nearly two weeks since DeBoer traded Washington for Alabama, four Huskies have followed to Tuscaloosa — junior wide receiver Germie Bernard, sophomore center Parker Brailsford, redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Mack and true freshman edge Noah Carter.Carter — a 6-foot-4, 228-pound pass-rusher and former four-star recruit — announced his Crimson Tide commitment Thursday, after completing an Alabama official visit last weekend. He initially signed with Washington last month but was subsequently released from his national letter of intent.A Phoenix product and Centennial High School standout, Carter is ranked as a four-star recruit, the No. 3 player in the state of Alabama, the No. 8 edge and the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2024 class by 247Sports. Prior to his de-commitment, he was UW’s mos highly rated commit.Carter — an Army All-American — contributed 55 tackles, 11 sacks, eight receiving touchdowns and two punt return scores in his senior season at Centennial.In a written evaluation last fall, 247Sports recruiting analyst Blair Angulo called Carter an “uber athletic edge rusher with two-way production. Multi faceted defender with ability to move well laterally. Shows terrific bend and explosiveness in pursuit. Thrives in stand-up role where he can crossover blockers. Uses his quickness to the outside to put immediate pressure on offensive tackles. Displays the ability to get slip through creases to keep charging forward. A long strider with fluid movements who can cover a ton of ground. Considerable room to fill out physically and add strength.“Could continue to refine his pass-rush technique, particularly with his hand usage. A high-upside prospect with potential to immediately impact at the elite Power Five level and draw Day 2 NFL draft buzz.”Carter won’t earn that NFL buzz in Seattle. Seven of the Huskies’ 15 freshman signees last month have since entered the transfer portal or been released from their national letter of intent — including their only other edge rusher, three-star prospect Keona Wilhite. (An eighth player, early enrollee linebacker Khmori House, briefly entered the transfer portal before deciding to remain at UW.)Of the 25 Huskies who have entered the transfer portal this offseason, 11 have since committed to outside schools.Unsurprisingly, Washington’s loss has all-too-often been Alabama’s gain.
