With fall practice in full swing for Alabama football, the staff for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will release a series of player spotlight pieces on starters and marquee contributors for the 2020 football season.
RELATED: 2020 Alabama Player Spotlight: OT Alex Leatherwood
In these articles, we will dive into the strengths and weaknesses of each player, provide expectations for 2020, give NFL Draft projections for those who are eligible, and conclude with how each one can impact the team.
We continue looking at offensive linemen and after breaking down Alex Leatherwood, Landon Dickerson is next.
Landon Dickerson
-Position: Offensive Line (Right Guard)
-Classification: Redshirt Senior
-Height: 6’6″
-Weight: 325 pounds
-2019 stats: Executed 723 assignments in 727 snaps, 99.4 percent success rate
Strengths
-Size
-Athleticism
-Powerful Hands
-Run blocking
-Pass blocking
-Communication
-Versatility
-Toughness
Summary: Alabama has embraced much success from graduate transfers, and Landon Dickerson is one of them.
He endured injuries as a five-star offensive lineman at Florida State in 2017 and 2018, but was healthy through 13 games for the Crimson Tide last season. He started four games at right guard and nine games at center, grading out at nearly 88 percent for both positions. Dickerson missed just four assignments on 727 snaps, which was good for a 99.4% success rating.
The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder earned second-team All-SEC honors at right guard and center.
Despite injuries to Tua Tagovailoa, he protected the quarterback to toss for 33 touchdowns to three interceptions while assisting Mac Jones to marquee performances versus Arkansas, Auburn and Michigan. A native of Hickory, N.C., Dickerson was exceptional in the run game — clearing the way for Najee Harris’ first career 1,000-yard season (1,224) on 209 carries.
During the biggest matchups against Texas A&M, Tennessee, Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn and Michigan, Dickerson allowed just one sack and four quarterback hurries. Along with his versatility, athleticism, powerful hands and consistency in both run-blocking and pass-blocking, he is also an effective communicator across the line of scrimmage.
RELATED: 2020 Alabama Player Spotlight: QB Bryce Young
With Dickerson at center, Alabama had the nation’s No. 2 scoring offense (47.2 ppg), No. 3 passing offense (342.2 ypg) and No. 6 total offense (510.8 ypg) in college football for 2019.
He also brings a sense of toughness to the Crimson Tide’s group, as Dickerson does not mind getting into the faces of opposing players and driving them off the ball.
Weaknesses
-Continuity at right guard
Summary: As much as Nick Saban wants his offensive line to be versatile, continuity at certain spots is important.
Alex Leatherwood is entering his second year at left tackle, but others are changing positions.
Evan Neal is going from left guard to right tackle, and Deonte Brown moves from right guard to left guard. A battle between Chris Owens and Darrian Dalcourt is taking place at center, but can Dickerson give consistent production at right guard for the 2020 season?
If he can, then this year’s group should win the Joe Moore Award.
Expectations for 2020 season
Prior to this summer, Dickerson was 308 pounds.
He added 17 pounds to his frame, which suggests a better chance of an NFL future at offensive guard.
RELATED: 2020 Alabama Player Spotlight: WR Jaylen Waddle
Although he still can play center — if needed — Dickerson is sold on pushing Alabama to a Southeastern Conference title and a national championship at right guard. He returned for his senior year to gain an opportunity at a higher draft stock and a couple of individual honors.
To pair alongside this, Dickerson is all in on helping Najee Harris win the Heisman Trophy and position Mac Jones to a marquee passing season at quarterback.
NFL Draft 2021 projections
Landon Dickerson: Second Round
NFL Draft 2021 competition: Deonte Brown (Alabama), Aaron Banks (Notre Dame), Peter Nestrowitz (Navy), Luke Fortner (Kentucky), Nolan Laufenberg (Air Force)
Conclusion
Landon Dickerson has a shot to provide Alabama’s its best offensive line since the 2012 group.
Not only will he be impactful on the field, but he will also help young players adjust on the line.
He is more than prepared to deliver a strong campaign for the Tide.
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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.
