The University of Alabama had more than adequate and at times, elite production, from the center position on its offensive line during the national championship years in the Nick Saban era.
William Vlachos started the success for the Crimson Tide in 2009, but Barrett Jones, Ryan Kelly, Bradley Bozeman, and Landon Dickerson elevated the position. Alabama struggled at center in 2023 as Seth McLaughlin had consistent issues snapping the ball correctly to Jalen Milroe. The Tide had problems all season, leading to it losing 20-27 in overtime to Michigan in the College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup at the Rose Bowl Game.
McLaughlin moved on to Ohio State via the NCAA transfer portal; however, Alabama has two guys competing for the starting job in spring practice for the coming fall.
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Parker Brailsford and James Brockermeyer know the significance of center to quarterback communication. Brailsford, a transfer from Washington, assisted Michael Penix to be a 4,000-yard quarterback (4,903), a Pac-12 Champion, and guide the Huskies to a CFP National Championship Game. Brailsford’s protection up front allowed Penix to earn the Maxwell Award and be a first-team All-American. He is not the biggest lineman (6-2, 275 pounds), but Chris Kapilovic — Alabama’s offensive line coach — wants his players to move effectively. Kapilovic asks a lot of linemen to pull, counter, gap block along with lining straight up and dominating the opponent. An Arizona native, Brailsford made the Freshman All-American team through 15 games last year.
He played two games at right guard and started the other 13 games at center.
Brockermeyer, a former four-star in Alabama’s 2021 signing class, is in his fourth season.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he has grown in the Crimson Tide’s culture. The 6-foot-3, 285-pounder brings more size than Brailsford and is very sharp. Coach Kapilovic was impressed by how fast Brockermeyer has picked up the offense.
Brockermeyer’s father, Blake, was an All-American offensive tackle at Texas and played nine years in the National Football League.
Brockermeyer has played in 16 career games, including some as a backup center. He and Brailsford bring a lot to the table, and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan talked about the competition Tuesday on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning.
Sheridan said Brailsford’s experience is an advantage, but Brockermeyer has done great as well.
“I think the center play throughout the first bit of spring has been very good,” Sheridan said. “The communication has been sound. I think Coach Kap has done a great job with both of those guys. … Brock is such a smart kid. Hard-working, loves this place. I think both kids have had good springs. It always starts in the middle. You think about the center and the quarterback — those two guys have to play well for you to win championships, and we feel great about the direction we’re headed with those two positions for sure.”
Alabama likes what it has with Jalen Milroe at quarterback, and the competition at center will make both guys better.
The Tide should make significant improvement in whether it’s Brailsford or Brockermeyer snapping the ball to Milroe.
Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide’s head coach, has mentioned in practice that the centers have had no problems with Milroe’s cadence and all communication aspects have been good.
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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.
