Continuity is building for Alabama football on its offensive line.
It may have the best interior lineup with Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford, and Jaeden Roberts, but the Crimson Tide is perfectly fine with competition at both tackle spots through fall camp. Chris Kapilovic, Alabama’s offensive line coach, would be okay with competition going through the first two games of the season. The Tide wants the best group up front to make sure physicality, communication, and excellence in run blocking and pass protection are in order. Kalen DeBoer likes what he has on the interior; however, he did highlight the competition at tackle. Kadyn Proctor, a sophomore, returned to first-team reps at left tackle in Sunday’s practice. DeBoer stated early in fall camp that Proctor is in good shape, yet there is a battle for both tackle spots.
Alabama’s interior on the OL has been consistent as Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford, and Jaeden Roberts are on the first team.
Kadyn Proctor took first-team reps at left tackle today, but Wilkin Formby and Elijah Pritchett are getting reps too.@TDAlabamaMag @TouchdownETP pic.twitter.com/z9r31n12Ef
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) August 4, 2024
“We are just rotating some guys,” DeBoer said Sunday.
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“We are rotating guys, especially at tackle. The three interior guys have been pretty consistent with the ones, but we are working Pritchett, Formby, and Proctor around. They are all getting chances, and they continue to get better. We have plenty of time here, but the chemistry for that group is critical.”
Proctor, a former five-star in Alabama’s 2023 recruiting class, made the Freshman All-SEC team last year.
He improved with each matchup, helping the Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff berth as the starting left tackle. Proctor left Alabama for Iowa in the NCAA transfer portal shortly after Nick Saban announced his retirement from coaching, but he came back in the summer. The 6-foot-7 specimen has bought into DeBoer’s culture and has had to earn the respect of his teammates. Proctor’s dropped weight this offseason and his Leaner look bodes well for him.
If he takes the left tackle spot back, Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby will push for right tackle.
Formby, a former four-star in the 2023 class, got first-team reps Sunday at right tackle. Pritchett is the oldest of the trio, but it will be interesting to see how he comes out of the competition. We will see soon who makes up the best five for the Tide.
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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.
