We return to football action for the University of Alabama next week.
Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide will take the practice field for fall camp.
Alabama is looking to capture its first national championship after coming up short in three consecutive seasons. The Tide returns experienced players, signed talented freshmen, and brought in veterans from the NCAA transfer portal. In this series, we provide a preseason grade for each position heading into practice.
RELATED: Preseason grade for Alabama’s QB room heading into fall practice
After looking at the quarterback room, we now break down Alabama’s offensive line.
OL Group
Alabama’s offensive line is in a better place to open preseason camp and this regular season.
Seth McLaughlin, a former lineman for the Crimson Tide, is now at Ohio State. He had consistent issues snapping the football, which led to the Tide dropping games versus Texas and Michigan. Parker Brailsford, a transfer from Washington, replaces McLaughlin at center.
The 6-foot-2, 275-pounder helped Michael Penix to a 4,000-yard plus passing season in 2023, while assisting the Huskies to the Joe Moore Award.
He also paced Washington to a Pac-12 Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Brailsford is athletic and physical, regardless of being under 300 pounds.
Alabama has two of the best guards in the nation with Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts.
Booker, who is now 330 pounds, started 13 games at left guard in 2023. He had 41 knockdown blocks for a team-high of 3.4 per matchup. The 6-foot-5 specimen earned first-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press after allowing just 2.5 sacks and 4.5 quarterback pressures across 676 snaps. Roberts, a native of Houston, Texas, proved to be Alabama’s most physical lineman when he earned a starting opportunity at right guard last year versus Texas A&M. He played in 11 games, including eight straight starts, showing the coaching staff his physicality in run blocking and consistency in pass protection. Roberts allowed 2.5 sacks in his redshirt sophomore campaign, but he is prepared to dominate opposition and keep Jalen Milroe upright in the upcoming fall.
Alabama has competition for both tackle spots.
Kadyn Proctor, Wilkin Formby, and Elijah Pritchett are battling for them.
Proctor started all 14 games at left tackle in 2023 as a freshman. He earned Freshman All-SEC honors, helping the Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship. Proctor has become leaner this offseason with his 6-foot-7 frame.
It should help him sustain in pass protection and blast holes open in the run game. If Proctor takes back his natural position, then Formby and Pritchett will compete for right tackle. Pritchett has experience, but Formby provides more upside.
Formby, a Tuscaloosa (Ala.) native, had a very good spring — including a good A-Day performance. He did well preventing defenders from getting to Milroe.
Alabama also has a new offensive line coach in Chris Kapilovic. His philosophy is having players that are big, but they need to be able to move.
We will see how things flow with the potential starting group, but also those who may have to contribute.
Preseason Grade: B+
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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.
