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After the 2014 season, the Crimson Tide saw the departure of three of their top receivers. With several underclassmen filling up the depth chart, the team needed some experience and leadership at the position. That problem was solved with the addition of graduate-transfer Richard Mullaney from Oregon State. Alas, Bama fans would only get to enjoy the skills of Mullaney for one season. Now the Tide faces a similar situation. But catching the ball is not the only thing Mullaney is good at. He is a darn good recruiter too.
Bowling Green's Gehrig Dieter has announced via Twitter that he will grad-transfer to Alabama for 2016. And Bama fans have Mullaney to thank in part.
— Gehrig Dieter4⃣ (@gehrigd4) February 13, 2016
Dieter's college career didn't start out quite the way he expected. Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Dieter broke the state records for receiving yards in a season (2,171) and career (4,326). He also set the national single-game record with 437 receiving yards in 2011.
As a three-star receiver, he chose to attend SMU over Kansas, Arkansas State and a host of MAC schools. He got a leg up on the competition as an early enrollee but only caught 10 balls for 168 and a score his freshman year. He decided to transfer back closer to home to be reunited with his older brother, Nolan Dieter, who was a back-up quarterback at Bowling Green. After sitting out a season, he grabbed 35 balls for 460 yards and a score in 2014.
Dieter opened his 2015 campaign with seven catches against Tennessee for 133 yards and a touchdown. He had double-digit receptions against Purdue, Toledo, and Ball State as well as at least six pass catches in nine games last season. On the season, he hauled in 94 catches for 1,033 yards and ten touchdowns. However after a 10-3 season, BGSU coach Dino Babers left for the head job at Syracuse. Once again, Dieter was faced with a reevaluation of his situation.
The redshirt junior considered entering the NFL Draft but after talking it over with the people around him, he decided he needed another year to hone his skills. One person in particular was a receiver nicknamed "Slotty Pippen".
Last season, the former Beavers wide receiver Richard Mullaney made a similar move as a graduate transfer to Alabama. He finished the season with a national championship and 38 catches for 390 yards and five touchdowns. Dieter has been in contact with Mullaney and Alabama wide receivers coach Billy Napier to discuss how the transition will work out for him.
Dieter is set to graduate from Bowling Green in May and then he will have one season of eligibility remaining in 2016. He is a Dean’s list student, but will still need to get a waiver to become eligible. He told FOX Sports on Saturday, "we talked to the compliance people here and they felt pretty confident about (getting) the waiver. He said there have been like 45 people in my situation and they’ve all gotten approved."
Dieter, who also considered Wake Forest, said he will take a visit to Alabama this week. The Tide has another weapon for Lane Kiffin to utilize.
Finally, something goes right for Alabama!