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 center position on the offensive line, we continue with the linemen. We now dissect the right tackle position for spring ball.
Amari Kight
Chris Owens’ departure to the NFL Draft sets up competition for Alabama’s starting right tackle position.
Amari Kight enters his fourth season with experience in the system. He has played in 10 career games, including seven in 2021.
The 6-foot-7, 318-pounder arrived from Thompson High School in 2019 as a four-star offensive tackle. Kight played in one game in his redshirt year and two as a redshirt freshman. He has the size of an ideal tackle in the Nick Saban era for the Crimson Tide.
Kight can excel at the position if he gets an opportunity to show what he brings. He recorded 64 snaps last year, including a career-high 36 snaps versus New Mexico State. Kight will get the first chance to see if he can lock up the right tackle spot.
Damieon George Jr.
Damieon George had some good moments in 2021, but Alabama’s matchup versus Auburn was too much for him.
He started in three of 12 games and had his best performances against New Mexico State and Arkansas. As a native of Houston, Texas, George is an imposing presence at 6’6″ and 339 pounds. He arrived as a four-star in the 2020 class and can be a productive right tackle. George needs to improve his footwork, explosion on the snap of the football, and technique against speed rushers.
Coach Saban thought George would be the guy at the spot after his performance against LSU.
Auburn’s defense provided George aspects to improve on, but spring practice will show us how much better he’s gotten.
Tommy Brockermeyer
Tommy Brockermeyer enrolled at Alabama under much hype in the 2021 class.
He was one of two five-star offensive linemen and a top-three offensive tackle. Brockermeyer’s father, Blake, was a former All-American tackle at the University of Texas. He played nine seasons in the National Football League and coached both his sons on having the right technique. James Brockermeyer, Tommy’s brother, is pursuing the center positions for the Tide in spring ball.
Tommy looks at the opportunity to start at right tackle. The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder has the tools, but will Brockermeyer take advantage of the moment? Some believe he’s as good as advertised, but others do not know how good he is.
He dominated at All Saints Episcopal High School in Fort Worth, Texas. Spring practice will show if Brockermeyer is ready.
Tyler Booker (freshman)
Tyler Booker is the freshman to watch on the offensive line in spring practice.
As a five-star via IMG Academy, Booker comes in a lineage of freshmen that started at tackle under Saban. Andre Smith, Cam Robinson, Jonah Williams, Alex Leatherwood, and Jedrick Wills all started at tackle as freshmen. Booker possesses the capability to become the next great lineman. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder enrolled early for a chance to beat out competition and win the job.
Booker’s versatility could have him at tackle or guard, but he was one of the top tackles in the 2022 class.
He will be the one to focus on at the right tackle position.
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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.
