When people think of the best offensive line of the Nick Saban era at Alabama, the 2012 group usually reigns supreme.
The lineup of Cyrus Kouandijo, Chance Warmack, Barrett Jones, Anthony Steen and D.J. Fluker pushed the program to a Southeastern Conference title, a BCS National Championship and produced two 1,000-yard rushers in Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon.
If the Joe Moore Award (started in 2015) was around at that time, the 2012 offensive unit would have been first to earn it.
With its starting five, the Crimson Tide also had a 1,000-yard wide receiver in Amari Cooper and a playmaking quarterback in AJ McCarron.
Four of the five linemen went on to be All-Americans, while all five made a roster in the National Football League.
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Despite the dominance of that bunch, the Tide’s 2020 line has the potential to be just as good or possibly better than the 2012 one. Alabama returns three five-stars – Alex Leatherwood, Landon Dickerson and Evan Neal – and four players who have chemistry with each other.
According to ESPN’s Cole Cubelic, a former lineman for Auburn University, he has the Tide ranked with the No. 1 offensive line in the nation. Anything less than the Joe Moore honor would be disappointing for this group, seeing how it has the experience, depth and young talent on it.
On Wednesday, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine discussed the O-Line via In My Own Words and how this year’s roster could be the best of the Saban regime.
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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.
