Alabama football has two players with experience returning as offensive guards — Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts — and it has a position battle going for the starting center role in spring practice.
Chris Kapilovic, the Crimson Tide’s offensive line coach, is also looking for offensive tackles.
Elijah Pritchett has some experience and Naquil Betrand, a transfer from Texas A&M, has potential. Alabama also has several names it signed in its 2023 recruiting class as tackles. Miles McVay, a former four-star from East Saint Louis, Ill., was one of the top linemen prospects in the cycle. The 6-foot-5, 350-pounder looked impressive last spring, but he played in only four games.
McVay is in a position to be a starting offensive tackle.
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He is working with former Crimson Tide standout, Andre Smith of Big Man Factory. Big Man Factory is specific training for offensive linemen. Smith, a Birmingham (Ala.) native, came to the University of Alabama as a five-star prospect in the 2006 signing class. He started at left tackle as a true freshman and became one of the best linemen in school history. Smith was a two-time first-team All-SEC selection (2007, 2008), an SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner (2007), an Outland Trophy winner (2008), and an Unanimous All-American (2008). He became the first offensive lineman to become a first-round NFL Draft pick under Nick Saban for Alabama in 2009. Smith went No. 6 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals and carved out a successful career.
He’s now helping McVay craft his footwork, quickness, strength, agility, and power.
Grit, Grind, Effort, #control #what #you #can #control #nodaysoff #elite #oline #training #bmf #wethebest #no #pain #nogain #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo #like #share #comment #follow pic.twitter.com/xpbfMDVxTM
— Big Man Factory (@BigManFactory) March 17, 2024
McVay is looking forward to winning a position on the offensive front.
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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.
