It did not take long for Chris Kapilovic to identify the leader of Alabama’s offensive line upon being hired.
Tyler Booker, a former five-star, arrived in the Crimson Tide’s 2022 class as one of the nation’s top lineman.
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He has played in 25 career games, including 13 starts in 2023, as an offensive guard. A Connecticut native, Booker earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference recognition from the Associated Press. He missed one game last season (South Florida) because of back spasms, but Booker totaled 41 knockdown blocks as a sophomore. The 6-foot-5, 352-pounder averaged a team-high 3.4 knockdown blocks per game, allowing 2.5 sacks and missing only three assignments across 676 snaps. He pushed the Crimson Tide’s offensive unit to dominating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, capturing a 27-24 win over the Bulldogs.
Booker returned the Tide to the College Football Playoff, but it fell short against Michigan in the Rose Bowl Game.
He is back as an influential leader for his teammates, but Coach Kapilovic sees more in Booker.
“[Tyler] Booker is a stud,” Kapilovic said last week. “He is not only a great player, but he’s a great human being. He brings a lot of juice to the offensive line room. He is definitely the alpha. When he talks, people listen. So, he is a critical piece to the offense.”
Booker mentioned last week that he’s excited to work with Coach Kapilovic and his teammates.
Alabama OL Tyler Booker ready to pour into the guys on this OL.
He’s also happy to work with Chris Kapilovic as his position coach.
“He [Chris Kapilovic] is really fired up. He’s big into technique, big into what works for us and that makes a difference.@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/vu7TKYjFqa
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 9, 2024
“I am so eager to pour into these young guys and see how much they grow,” Booker said.
“Coach Kap is very fired up. I am really excited to work with him. He is big into technique and big into what works for us. We really work together and that makes a difference.”
Booker has Jaeden Roberts and Parker Brailsford (transfer from Washington) as guys on the interior with him that have experience in playing college football games. He shared vocal leadership his fellow IMG Academy parter, JC Latham, last year, but now Booker is the sole leader of the offensive line. He looks to get Alabama back to its national championship ways.
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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.
