Spring football returned to the University of Alabama on Friday, March 11.
Fans of the Crimson Tide are excited for this edition of athletes taking the field, as Nick Saban and the program look to reclaim the crown of national champions. With 15 practices sessions — including the A-Day Game — the staff writers for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will provide in-depth previews on marquee players.
We continue with the offensive side of the football with offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor.
Emil Ekiyor
Classification: Redshirt Senior
Position: Guard
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 307
Strengths: Strength, experience, versatility, frame
Weaknesses: Athleticism, pass blocking consistency
SUMMARY FOR SPRING PRACTICE
With Evan Neal moving on to the NFL Draft, Emil Ekiyor is the last remaining starter from the 2020 national championship team on the offensive line and the most experienced. This season, Ekiyor will be relied upon more than ever to be a leader up front for a group that still needs to figure things out.
But as an individual, Ekiyor has all the physical traits you look for in an offensive guard.
What sticks out the most about Ekiyor’s game, even when he first arrived in Tuscaloosa was his strength. It’s the biggest reason why he was able to get on the field as a redshirt sophomore. In the SEC you need to have elite strength if you want to compete and his dominance in the run game is what’s most intriguing about him.
Nick Saban had previously mentioned that Alabama will be experimenting with its offensive line, playing each player at different spots. Although he hasn’t done it in-game, Ekiyor has the ability to play any spot on the interior giving the Crimson Tide a multitude of options to work with.
But there are flaws in his game, some of which were on display this past season. Ekiyor wasn’t always consistent in pass protection as he tended to struggle at times with quicker defenders. He allowed 18 quarterback hurries last season and was second on the team allowing five quarterback hits according to Pro Football Focus.
Some of his struggles can be attributed to his athleticism and speed overall. He was a bit stiff at times which caused defenders to work around him and get to Bryce Young.
But, on the outside, it appears as if Ekiyor has already worked to address this issue in his game. In the months following the season, Ekiyor lost nearly 20 pounds, going from 324 all the way down to 307.
This alone will pay dividends for his agility to work against more athletic players and will help him wherever he lines up on the offensive line this season.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
