Former Alabama football receiver Isaiah Bond is set to be one of Texas football's leading receivers in 2024, bringing some much-needed firepower to a reloaded Longhorns offense.

Bond, who left the Crimson Tide in the offseason, caught a team-leading 48 passes for 668 yards and four touchdowns last season. The junior with two seasons of eligibility was one of the most highly touted players in the transfer portal, ranking as the No. 4 portal prospect and No. 1 receiver, according to 247Sports' Composite rankings.

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Bond is perhaps best remembered for his game-winning touchdown catch against Auburn last season, when he slipped into the back of the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown on fourth-and-31.

The 5-foot-11 speedster is set to lead Texas' receiving corps this season, along with fellow transfers Silas Bolden (Oregon State) and Matthew Golden (Houston), and returners Johntay Cook and DeAndre Moore Jr.

Here's why Bond transferred from Alabama to Texas in the offseason:

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Why did Isaiah Bond transfer to Texas?

Shortly after Bond committed to Texas in the transfer portal, he told ESPN that his move was a business decision.

"Just like the business world, you make the best decision for your company," Bond told ESPN in January. "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."

Bond then added in the interview one primary factor in his decision was former Alabama coach Nick Saban's retirement.

"One hundred percent," Bond told ESPN of Saban leaving Alabama. "That was the decision why I left."

Bond was among the numerous transfer portal losses for Alabama following Saban's retirement, though the Crimson Tide has certainly reloaded since hiring former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer, who also brought in his own influx of talent. Alabama, who fell to Texas last season in nonconference play, starts the season ranked No. 5, one spot behind the Longhorns, in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

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According to ESPN, DeBoer reached out to Bond about returning to Alabama, but Bond didn't respond. The receiver added he was heavily recruited by Texas coach Steve Sarkisian out of high school, and the two rekindled their relationship in the transfer portal.

"I like the whole package that comes with it," Bond said. "Great quarterback, they have a great offensive line. I felt like it was a great spot for me to come to."

Bond ended his ESPN interview with touching on his new quarterback-receiver relationship with Quinn Ewers, who's expected to be among the top picks in the 2025 NFL draft.

"He's a great big-time pocket-passer quarterback, Bond said. "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."

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Isaiah Bond stats

Here are Bond's year-by-year college stats:

• 2022 (Alabama): 17 receptions for 220 yards with one touchdown

• 2023 (Alabama): 48 receptions for 668 yards with four touchdowns

Isaiah Bond touchdown catch vs. Auburn

Here's a clip of Bond's legendary touchdown catch against Auburn in the Iron Bowl last season:

Whether Bond can recreate that magic in Austin remains to be seen, though Texas is certain to give him every opportunity.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why did Isaiah Bond transfer to Texas? Why Longhorns WR left Alabama