With Bradley Bozeman returning at center and having both Ross Pierschbacher and Jonah Williams flank him, Alabama boasts much experience from the middle to the left of its offensive line.
Williams’ transition to left tackle peeks the curiosity of some fans and concerns of others; however, head coach Nick Saban is pleased by the progress being made on the right side. For the first time since arriving in Tuscaloosa in 2007, the Crimson Tide’s offense appeared to be more in sync than its defense.
Saban went into full details regarding the matter on Saturday.
“I thought the transition was smooth,” he said last week. “We were much more effective in the passing game and had a lot of explosive plays. All the quarterbacks did fairly well.”
Alabama had a revolving door at right guard a season ago, but it believes that rising junior Lester Cotton can handle the position next season. Cotton, who started five games at offensive guard in 2016, was Cam Robinson’s understudy at left tackle during his first two years with the Tide.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds, Saban said Cotton can play at either right guard or right tackle. Seeing him progress on the interior has opened a starting chance for redshirt sophomore Matt Womack. The Mississippi native and three-star recruit began to emerge last week in practice at right tackle. Standing at 6-foot-7 and 326 pounds, Womack was one of the nation’s top offensive tackle prospects in the 2015 recruiting cycle.
Per Saban, he continues to improve and show confidence in his game.
“He’s making progress and has done a good job,” Saban said on Womack.
Should Cotton and Womack hold serve at their spots, Alabama would have two three-star recruits running its offensive line with Bozeman and Womack. Prior to earning the starting job at center last year, Bozeman was a reserve lineman — who wasn’t highly-touted coming out of Handley High School in Roanoke, Ala.
Whether or not the Tide boasts a 1,000-yard rusher next season, its front line anticipates being stronger in both run blocking and pass protection under position coach Brent Key.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
