Alabama fans were disappointed in Doug Marrone and Eric Wolford in back-to-back seasons as offensive line coaches.
The position group talked a lot in the summer of 2023 about it wanting to be dominant and elite; however, those words never came into fruition consistently. Alabama’s offensive front failed to keep Jalen Milroe up right as much of the 44 sacks allowed came from the front unit not handling business. Chris Kapilovic, an Ohio native, comes over to coach the Crimson Tide after getting hired at Baylor on Dec. 12, 2023. He joined the Bears enough to check out the scene, but Kapilovic jumped at the opportunity to work with Kalen DeBoer at Alabama. He has been a successful offensive line coach for a long time, crafting his most significant success at North Carolina and Michigan State. The Tide has players back with experience, but Kapilovic highlighted for Alabama reporters on the two-man battle happening at the most important position in spring practice.
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James Brockermeyer and Parker Brailsford (transfer from Washington) are battling for the starting job at center.
“Great competition…Nothing better for your team than competition. It is good to see those two guys compete.”
Alabama OL coach Chris Kapilovic on James Brockermeyer and Parker Brailsford competing at center.
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) March 9, 2024
“It is a great competition between those guys,” Kapilovic said. “Nothing is better for the team than competition. You have to know the guy behind you is pushing you to win that job, and it raises the level of play for both guys. Brock [James Brockermeyer] is an extremely intelligent kid. It is amazing how he has picked up this offense o quickly. Having Parker [Brailsford] here who has been through the offense also helps, but it is good to see those two guys competing.”
Brockermeyer, a native Texan, came to the Crimson Tide as a four-star in its 2021 class. He came with his brother, Tommy, from All Saints Episcopal High School. Tommy, a former five-star, transferred back home to Texas Christian University (TCU), but James remained at Alabama. Brockermeyer have played in five career games as a backup center, but the junior knows the Crimson Tide’s culture. Brailsford, who enters his sophomore season with a new team, helped the Huskies win the Joe Moore Award in 2023 for having the nation’s top offensive unit. He allowed just one sack of Michael Penix last year, en route to Washington securing a Pac-12 Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Alabama fans saw Seth McLaughlin move on to Ohio State via thee NCAA transfer portal.
Tide nation is looking forward to who wins out between Brockermeyer and Brailsford.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
