Alabama received some surprising news over the weekend when wide receiver T.J. Simmons announced his decision to transfer this summer.

The sophomore from Clay-Chalkville High School near Birmingham posted a message to Twitter that plans to continue his career with the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Big XII.

Simmons, a former four-star recruit, looked to be in a position to take on a bigger role in 2017 following an A-Day performance that included six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. But Alabama's depth at wide receiver might have factored into the decision to transfer. Nick Saban's staff brought in four highly-recruited, including A-Day MVP Jerry Jeudy, and returns upper-classmen Calvin Ridley and Robert Foster.

The departure brings the Crimson Tide one player closer to the 85 scholarship limit. A full breakdown can be found on Tidesports' eligibility tracker, but Alabama is currently one scholarship over the limit.

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