The speed doctor for Alabama football is at it again.
He released updates to Twitter last week on the Crimson Tide’s overall speed profiles, and Dr. Matt Rhea continued to perfect his craft on Tuesday with offensive linemen. Members of national media expect a tremendous season from Alabama’s offensive unit, especially when one looks at three former five-stars back on the line.
The quartet of Alex Leatherwood, Landon Dickerson, Deonte Brown and Evan Neal all have chemistry and regardless of who the fifth player is, the rotation will be strong.
Rhea posted a video to social media of Dickerson in speed training drills.
@Landon_2012 out here reinventing big man speed training. Big, fast, athletic. New age offensive lineman. pic.twitter.com/ZkIDscJTDR
— Matt Rhea, PhD (@MattRheaPhD) July 29, 2020
The 6-foot-6, 308-pounder showed a quick burst, strong lateral movements and looked in control with maneuvering his body.
A graduate transfer from Florida State, Dickerson arrived at Alabama last year and earned a starting job on the line.
In 13 games, he started four at right guard and nine at center — earning second-team All-SEC honors at both positions and grading out at 88 percent at both spots. Dickerson allowed just one sack and four quarterback pressures all season in 2019, while missing only four assignments in 727 snaps (99.4 percent success rate). He pushed running back Najee Harris to his first career 1,000-yard campaign (1,224) and assisted Brian Robinson Jr. to improving his numbers as well. Despite a hip injury to Tua Tagovailoa, Dickerson kept the native Hawaiian upright to account for 33 touchdown passes to three interceptions.
He would then help Mac Jones guide the Tide’s offense to a 35-16 victory over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
RELATED: WATCH: David Ballou and Matt Rhea have Alabama in advanced stage of preseason practice program
Not only is Dickerson a preseason candidate for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the best interior offensive or defensive lineman in college football, but he also has an opportunity to be a first-round pick. He is a highly aggressive player, however, Rhea is trying to add more speed to his game. Imagine a mean 300-plus pound lineman coming at you at full speed.
No one wants to deal with that.
David Ballou is getting guys stronger and Rhea is making them faster than the speed of light.
Alabama will be very entertaining to watch in the fall.
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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.
