Alabama lands Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi via transfer portal

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Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi announced his commitment to Alabama on Sunday, giving the Crimson Tide one of the best interior defenders in the country and solidifying them as a top-five team for next season.

Omoruyi chose Nate Oats' program over North Carolina, Kansas State and Georgetown.

Despite a down season for the Scarlet Knights, Omoruyi, a 6-foot-11 center from Nigeria, was the anchor for one of the best defensive teams in the country. He earned All-Big Ten honors and conference All-Defensive Team selections in each of the past two seasons. He averaged 10.4 points and 8.3 rebounds this past season, while ranking third nationally with 2.9 blocks per game.

He tallied nine double-doubles, including 19 points and 15 boards against Michigan and 14 points and 15 rebounds against Nebraska. He also went for 22 points and nine rebounds in a loss to Illinois in January.

Omoruyi had his most productive campaign as a junior in 2022-23, averaging 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds, while blocking 2.1 shots.

Oats has now solved one of the few issues on his roster, with Omoruyi prepared to step into the center position and protect the rim. Alabama has reloaded in the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail, adding transfers Chris Youngblood (South Florida), Aden Holloway (Auburn) and Houston Mallette (Pepperdine), while also bringing in a top-five recruiting class that includes forwards Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell and point guard Labaron Philon.

Starters Grant Nelson (11.9 points per game) and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (8.9 points) return from last year's team.

If All-American and leading scorer Mark Sears opts to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide should make a strong case for preseason No. 1.

Sears has until May 29 to make a decision.