Alabama's Top WR Isaiah Bond Transfers to Texas '100%' Because Nick Saban Retired | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Isaiah Bond is going from one College Football Playoff team to another.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported the former Alabama wide receiver transferred to Texas on Sunday. Bond told Thamel it was a "business decision" and "100 percent" driven by former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban's decision to retire, which opened up a 30-day transfer window for players on the current roster.

"Just like the business world, you make the best decision for your company," Bond said. "My company right now is my draft stock. I feel like I'm putting myself in position to increase that and have better draft stock."

He also pointed to his relationship with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and the return of Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers as factors in his destination.

"He's a great big-time pocket passer quarterback," Bond said of Ewers. "He's a top pick in the draft next year. I'm also going to be a top pick. It's going to be a good duo."

This is quite the loss for Alabama, as nobody on the 2023 team had more receptions than Bond's 48. He also finished with 668 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

One fallout from Saban's retirement was the risk of losing players in this exact fashion. Bond was the first Alabama player to enter his name into the portal following the coach's departure and likely won't be the last one to leave with multiple other players having already done the same.

Bond didn't just leave the Crimson Tide, he stayed in the SEC with his decision to join Texas.

The Longhorns are joining the conference in 2024, although they will not face Alabama in their first season in the new league unless they both reach the SEC Championship Game. They still have a challenging slate that includes matchups against Michigan, Oklahoma, Georgia and Texas A&M.

Having a proven wide receiver like Bond will help them navigate that schedule.

His biggest moment of the 2023 campaign came when he hauled in a desperation throw from Jalen Milroe on 4th-and-goal from the Auburn 31-yard line for what proved to be the winning touchdown in the final seconds of the Iron Bowl.

Even with Bond leaving, it is a moment that will forever live in Alabama lore.

Now he will look to make memories like that for his new fanbase on a team that should compete for a spot in the 12-team CFP with Ewers returning.

As for Alabama, new head coach Kalen DeBoer will likely have to deal with some of these departures as the offseason continues. However, he built a winner at Washington and has the tradition and resources of the Crimson Tide behind him as he looks to do the same at his new job.