“Business decision” – Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond decides to go to Texas

Wide receiver Isaiah Bond, a transfer from the University of Alabama, has committed to Texas, but he called it a “business decision” following coach Nick Saban’s retirement.

“Just like in the business world, you make the decisions that are best for your company,” Bond told ESPN in a phone interview Sunday. “My company right now is draft stock. I feel like I’m putting myself in a position to increase that and get better draft stock.”

Bonds, who just finished his sophomore year, visited Texas this weekend and gave a helping hand to the staff during his visit.

Bonds was the first Alabama player to enter the NCAA transfer portal after Saban’s retirement. He will ultimately play for former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who led Texas to the College Football Playoff in his third season in Austin.

Bonds said his reason for leaving Alabama was directly related to Saban’s retirement. He intended to stay for another year, but changed his mind after his sudden retirement.

“100 percent,” he said. “That’s why I retired.”

Bond said he reached out to Alabama’s new head coach, Karen DeBoer, but did not receive a response. Bond said Sarkisian enthusiastically recruited him to Texas out of high school and quickly reconnected this weekend. He said Sarkisian, Texas’ offensive play-caller, is one of the best offensive minds in college football.

“I like the whole package that comes with it,” Bonds said of Texas. “It’s a great quarterback and they have a great offensive line. I felt like this was a great place for me.”

Bonds leads Alabama in catches this season and will be one of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers’ primary targets in 2024. Bonds was an ESPN Top 100 Rookie of the Year and finished the season with 48 catches for 668 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

He is a 5-foot-11, 182-pound receiver who will enter the 2024 season as a true junior as part of the top group of wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft. Bonds had one of the most famous plays of the 2023 season, catching his 4th-and-31 touchdown pass on a play known as the “Gravedigger” to beat Auburn.

Bonds should be in a good position to catch more passes in 2024. In one fewer game, Ewers threw the ball 110 times more than Jalen Milroe.

Asked if catching the ball with Ewers would appeal to him, Bond said: “100 percent. He’s a great pocket passer and a great quarterback. He’s a top pick in next year’s draft. I’d be a top pick too. That would be great. “That’s true,” he answered. They would make a good duo. ”

Joining Texas would give Bonds a chance to show off his skills in a wide-open offense that relies heavily on passes.

Ewers announced this week that he would return for his senior season, which would place him at the top of the 2025 draft class. Texas also returns an experienced offensive line led by young left tackle Kelvin Banks, who is expected to be a top tackle in 2024.

The Texans will lose the top three wide receivers and top five pass catchers from this season’s NFL team in Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington, as well as tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and tailback Jonathon Brooks.

The Texans also added former Houston wide receiver Matthew Golden to this transfer class. He had 13 touchdown catches in two seasons with the Cougars. Texas also has interest in Oregon State transfer Silas Bolden.

Bonds said he is looking forward to working with Sarkisian and working under wide receivers coach Chris Jackson, who has five years of experience coaching NFL receivers.

“It was really a business decision,” Bond said. “I have no hate in my heart. It’s nothing personal. I’m going to do what’s best for me and my family.”