Alabama offensive line coach Eric Wolford is looking to bring physicality back to Alabama’s offensive line in 2023.
2022 was Wolford’s first season as Alabama’s offensive line coach, coming over from Kentucky to replace Doug Marone. The Ohio native is looking to get Alabama’s offensive line to be more physical this season.
“I think the main message from coach Wolford is getting back to that intensity, that nastiness that we’ve always had as an offensive line”, said Alabama offensive lineman Darrian Dalcourt on Wednesday’s media availability. I think in his second year he’s gotten more comfortable, we’ve gotten more comfortable with him so it’s about learning from him and him learning from us and just trying to trust his word and do the best we can to bring back that nastiness.”
When long-time Kentucky offensive line coach John Schlarman passed away due to cancer in 2021, Wolford stepped up in his place and had the Wildcats as one of the semi-finalists for the Joe Moore Award. Not only was their line one of the top in the nation, but Kentucky had two of those players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft; center Luke Fortner went in the third round to Jacksonville, and offensive tackle Darian Kinnard was chosen by Kansas City in the fifth.
Wolford’s line will return two starters in 2023 at the center and tackle positions and the return of Dalcourt should also give them some valuable experience to pair with their young upcoming players.
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