Five-Star Alabama Offensive Tackle Who FSU Recruited Intends To Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

The Seminoles have made it pretty clear that they're exploring their options along the offensive line in the NCAA Transfer Portal. The coaching staff even brought in Indiana offensive tackle transfer Carter Smith shortly before he decided to return to his current program.

With that being said, the 30-day window isn't even halfway over and there will still be plenty of quality names to enter the portal. On Friday evening, Alabama offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett made it clear that he intends to move on from the program through an announcement with On3.

This is certainly a situation Florida State will be monitoring if Pritchett does indeed officially enter the database. The Seminoles were among the runner-ups in his high school recruitment alongside Georgia and USC. At the time, Pritchett was regarded as a five-star prospect and the No. 4 OT in the country according to 247Sports.

The Georgia native appeared in 13 games in a reserve role for the Crimson Tide during the 2023 season. He only played 108 snaps on offense during his two years in Tuscaloosa, slotting in at left tackle. It's expected that Pritchett will have three years of eligibility remaining at his next stop.

Florida State's coaching staff built a strong relationship with Pritchett when he was a prep prospect. The Seminoles were even the perceived favorite at one point before Alabama eventually won out for his services. Pritchett traveled to Tallahassee in the summer of 2021 to work out for offensive line coach Alex Atkins at a camp.

As of now, the Seminoles are set to return five of their top eight members of the offensive line rotation; redshirt junior Darius Washington, redshirt junior Jeremiah Byers, redshirt junior Maurice Smith, redshirt junior Robert Scott, and redshirt junior Keondre Jones. Redshirt senior D'Mitri Emmanuel and redshirt senior Casey Roddick will graduate following the season while redshirt senior Bless Harris chose to transfer.

FSU has lost four offensive linemen to the portal since the window opened on December 4. Outside of Harris, redshirt junior Thomas Schrader, redshirt freshman Daughtry Richardson, and redshirt freshman Qae'Shon Sapp are looking for new homes.

There would be an opportunity for Pritchett to take on a sizable role out of the gate if he chooses the Seminoles during his second recruitment. With the previous ties, it wouldn't be a surprise to see mutual interest from both sides.