Alabama Football News

Early spring practice positional battles: Who wins Alabama’s starting role at center?

by
Stephen M. Smith
February 27, 2022

Seth McLaughlin prepares to snap to Bryce Young

Cedric Mason - Touchdown Alabama Magazine

Spring practice begins in a few weeks for Alabama football.

Crimson Tide fans are ready to see their team make a return to the College Football Playoff National Championship stage, but the work starts in March and April. Nick Saban has graduated a lot of experience to the NFL Draft, but the Tide has retooled its deck of players and coaches.

The staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine is getting everyone prepared for spring football with a new series.

We will be highlighting early spring positions battles and which players will earn starting roles. After a breakdown of the tight end positions, we continue with the offense. We now dissect the center position on the offensive line for spring ball.

Seth McLaughlin

Seth McLaughlin should be the leader in the clubhouse for Alabama’s starting center.

He worked his way from reserve to starting the last three games of 2021.

McLaughlin played in 10 games, earning 301 snaps at center for the nation’s No. 6 scoring offense (39.9 ppg), No. 7 passing offense (338.2 ypg) and passing efficiency offense (166.5), No. 3 third-down conversion percentage (52), and No. 5 red zone offense (92.6). He did not allow a sack in matchups versus Georgia (SEC Championship), Cincinnati (College Football Playoff Semifinal), and Georgia (CFP National Championship). Despite giving up 2.5 quarterback pressures and seven hits on Bryce Young, McLaughlin grew to become an unsung hero. The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder stabilized the Crimson Tide’s offensive attack when Nick Saban replaced Darrian Dalcourt with him during the second half against Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

McLaughlin is very physical up front, and Saban likes that about him.

Darrian Dalcourt

Darrian Dalcourt earned the starting job at center over Chris Owens in fall camp for 2021.

He started 11 games, but Dalcourt had issues snapping the football correctly. As a junior, he allowed 5.5 sacks, 2.5 quarterback hits, and two pressures. Dalcourt played 713 snaps before an ankle injury forced him to miss Alabama’s final three games.

The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder has potential, but can he clean up the inconsistencies in his game?

Dalcourt needs to show improvement in spring practice. He came in 2019 as one of the top center/guard prospects.

Emil Ekiyor Jr.

Emil Ekiyor arrived at Alabama in 2018 as one of the top center/guard prospects from high school.

He worked at both positions as a freshman, but Ekiyor has grown as a guard in the last three years. He returns as a redshirt senior after his 2021 campaign had some rough moments. Ekiyor allowed 1.5 sacks, 11.5 quarterback pressures, and six quarterback hits through 14 games. He played in 1,035 snaps in 15 matchups as a right guard, but could Ekiyor’s talents be better served at center?

The 6-foot-3, 324-pounder can handle snapping duties, communicate calls, and anchor the front.

James Brockermeyer

James Brockermeyer is one-half of a Texas legacy.

He and his brother, Tommy, were both sought-after recruits in the 2021 class. Their father, Blake Brockermeyer, was a former All-American offensive tackle at the University of Texas. He played nine seasons in the National Football League. James came to the Crimson Tide as a four-star center. Tommy enrolled under more hype, but Alabama fans want to see James excel too.

The 6-foot-3, 281-pounder needs to add more weight. Brockermeyer might be the most naturally gifted center, but he has to transform himself into an SEC body. He is working on it in Alabama’s Fourth Quarter Program. If he makes improvements in spring practice, Brockermeyer will make it interesting for the coaching staff to have a decision.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 10+ years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.