Alabama football could have an offensive line that mirrors the group it had in the 2020 season.
The Crimson Tide won the Joe Moore Award in 2020 with names such as Landon Dickerson, Alex Leatherwood, Deonte Brown, and Emil Ekiyor up front. Chris Kapilovic, a first-year offensive line coach for the Crimson Tide, inherits two physical offensive guards — Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts — a skilled center (Parker Brailsford), and a massive offensive tackle (Kadyn Proctor) that returned to the Southeastern Conference after a moment at Iowa. Alabama has what it needs at four of five positions up front, but who steps up in the right tackle spot? Elijah Pritchett has experience, but a former four-star in the 2023 emerged in spring practice and has become the guy. Wilkin Formby, a redshirt freshman from Tuscaloosa, has Tide fans excited about him.
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Formby was an unanimous four-star and one of the top tackle prospects from Northridge High School. He was arguably the most technically sound tackle in the 2023 recruiting cycle. The 6-foot-7, 320-pounder played in three games last year for Alabama’s Southeastern Conference Championship team; however, he has quickly grabbed core values of what Coach Kapilovic wants.
According to close sources, Touchdown Alabama Magazine learned that it is more than physical with Formby.
“Wilkin is mentally prepared to help Alabama be dominant,” sources said.
“The Tide has two bookend tackles with him and Kadyn Proctor.”
When asked about Pritchett, sources say he could be the ‘odd man out.’ Alabama has Miles McVay, Naquil Betrand, Joseph Ionata, and Casey Poe that can play right tackle. Sources say McVay can be really good, especially if he drops 15 pounds.
Formby is the guy right now at the position as the Tide will begin summer workouts soon.
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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.
