Nick Saban will depend on youth in the trenches next fall.
After Dallas Warmack decided to leave the University of Alabama on last week, another veteran offensive lineman has chosen to take his talents elsewhere. Brandon Kennedy will leave the institution as a graduate transfer, per a report from Matt Zenitz of AL.com on Tuesday.
Hailing from Wetumpka, Ala., the redshirt sophomore was a four-star prospect upon arriving in Tuscaloosa in 2015. Kennedy was of five offensive linemen signed that year and he played in 10 career games – including three in 2017 as the backup center. A season-ending foot injury limited him during the Crimson Tide’s run to a national title, however, he received a medical redshirt.
His departure now leaves Alabama with nine players from the 2015 class.
Aside from Ross Pierschbacher, who started 42 career games at left guard, the Tide has a three-star in Hunter Brannon and a redshirt junior in Richie Petitbon that can line up at center.
Joshua Casher, one of the nation’s top center prospects in 2014, possesses versatility along the offensive line and it will be interesting to see how he’s used. One thing for certain is that Saban and Brent Key must find answers (where depth is concerned) for this thinning group.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
