He came to the University of Alabama in the spring as arguably the best offensive lineman from the NCAA transfer portal.
Parker Brailsford followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington to the Crimson Tide.
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He played in 15 games last season as a freshman, including 13 starts at center. Brailsford led the Huskies’ offensive unit to the Joe Moore Award, while helping the team capture a Pac-12 Championship and advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder has a critical matchup Saturday against Georgia’s defensive front.
He has an opportunity to show he can do more than hold his own versus some of the best players in college football. Brailsford has not allowed a sack of Jalen Milroe through three games.
He’s recorded 12 knockdown blocks in 155 snaps and graded out at 85 percent or better to open the season.
Brailsford has put an emphasis on ‘nastiness’ this week against the Bulldogs.
Tyler Booker, a junior offensive guard, spoke Tuesday on how Brailsford has developed more in that area.
“We do,” Booker said about if he and Brailsford have conversations on being more physical with defenders.
“We know if there are certain protections against certain formations, I’ll be free and we would talk about how I can get the knockdown block without hurting Parker. There are times when you are trying to get the block and you end up hurting your teammate, so we do talk about it often.”
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Booker wants to see Brailsford get even better with overpowering defensive linemen. The tag-team mentality they share is very interesting.
Whether Booker hits high and Brailsford hits low or vice versa, both believe in putting defenders on their backs.
“It is competition for us to see how many times we can put somebody on the ground,” Booker said. “When you are put on the ground and have to get back up, that takes something out of you. It is more energy you are exerting getting up and less energy playing me, so it is crucial for us to get knockdowns.”
Alabama fans will be excited to watch the nastiness and physicality from Brailsford against Georgia.
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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.
