Former Alabama Guard and Transfer Portal Standout Rylan Griffen Commits to Texas A&M
A notable name in the college basketball transfer portal is off the board. Former Alabama and Kansas guard Rylan Griffen has officially committed to the Texas A&M Aggies for the 2025–26 season, adding significant experience and scoring potential to Buzz Williams’ backcourt.
Griffen, a former key contributor for Alabama, entered the portal after one season with Kansas. On Friday night, he announced his decision to continue his college career in the SEC — this time wearing maroon and white in College Station. The move marks a return to familiar conference territory for Griffen, who began his collegiate journey with the Crimson Tide and helped lead them to a Final Four appearance in 2024.
Griffen started his college career at Alabama, where he played two seasons and emerged as a reliable rotational piece. During his time in Tuscaloosa, he appeared in 73 games and started 33, averaging 8.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 41.8% from the field, 35.4% from beyond the arc, and 78.2% from the free throw line. Known for his perimeter shooting and defensive versatility, Griffen was instrumental during the Crimson Tide’s deep NCAA Tournament run in 2024.
After transferring to Kansas for the 2024–25 campaign, Griffen continued to contribute at a high level. He started 20 of 33 games for the Jayhawks, averaging 6.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. While his role shifted slightly, Griffen remained a consistent shooter, connecting on 37.2% of his field goal attempts, 33.6% from three-point range, and 67.5% at the line.
Griffen’s decision to leave Kansas after just one season came as a surprise to some, especially with Alabama potentially in need of experienced backcourt help. However, he opted to forge a new path at Texas A&M, a program looking to rebound and make a deeper push in the NCAA Tournament next season. His SEC experience, two-way ability, and proven scoring touch make him an immediate-impact player for the Aggies.
Buzz Williams and the Aggies have now added one of the more accomplished guards in the portal. Griffen brings over 100 games of SEC and Big 12 experience, postseason toughness, and a well-rounded game that fits well with Texas A&M’s physical, defense-first system. The Aggies will look to him for leadership and offensive production as they reload their roster for what could be a promising 2025–26 campaign.
With Griffen’s commitment, Texas A&M has taken a major step forward in the transfer portal sweepstakes. As for Alabama, the Crimson Tide will now shift focus to other targets, as they continue building their roster around returning stars and incoming freshmen.
