Alabama adds OL from Texas out of the transfer portal

Texas offensive lineman Nick Brooks. Photo | Texas Athletics

Alabama added some much-needed beef to its interior offensive line, as former Texas guard Nick Brooks committed to the Crimson Tide on Friday night, according to a report from On3. 

Brooks started three games at left guard over five appearances for the Longhorns during his debut season last year. The 6-foot-7, 349-pound lineman from Loganville, Georgia, originally committed to Iowa before signing with Texas as a four-star recruit in the 2025 class. 

Brooks began last season by playing 25 snaps at right tackle against Sam Houston before transitioning to guard. Following the switch, he struggled in pass protection, giving up a combined 20 pressures, including four sacks, over 113 pass-blocking snaps in his four SEC games against Florida, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Mississippi State, according to Pro Football Focus. The worst of those performances came at Florida, where he came off the bench to allow nine pressures, including a sack, over 33 pass-blocking opportunities. 

Brooks was able to close out his freshman season with a solid performance in a start during Texas’ win at Mississippi. During that game, he allowed just one pressure over 16 pass-blocking snaps.

The guard position is one of Alabama’s biggest needs at the moment. The Tide lost four guards with starting experience this offseason, as Kam Dewberry, Jaeden Roberts and Geno VanDeMark all saw their eligibility expire while Wilkin Formby transferred to Texas A&M. Alabama’s depth at guard was also hit through the transfer portal by the departures of Olaus Alinen (Kentucky), Micah DeBose (Vanderbilt) and Roq Montgomery (Western Kentucky). 

Michael Carroll is the lone returning starter from last season’s offensive line. Along with losing Dewberry, Formby Roberts and VanDeMark, Alabama also lost starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor and starting center Parker Brailsford to the NFL Draft. 

Brooks was Alabama’s second offensive line transfer addition of the night on Friday, following Cal Polly center Racin Delgatty. Earlier this month, the Tide signed a pair of Michigan offensive line transfers in tackle Ty Haywood and center Kaden Strayhorn. Alabama is also bringing in five freshmen offensive linemen in this year’s class. Those additions include four-star talents Bryson Cooley (6-foot-6, 315 pounds), Chris Booker (6-foot-4, 285 pounds) and Jared Doughty (6-foot-6, 300 pounds) as well as three-star talents Bear Fretwell (6-foot-7, 290 pounds) and Tyrell Miller (6-foot-5, 305 pounds). 

While Carroll played right tackle as a freshman, the 6-foot-6, 321-pound lineman has the ability to move inside to guard if needed. Alabama also returns rising redshirt sophomore Williams Sanders (6-foot-3, 308 pounds) as a possible starter at the guard position. 

The transfer portal window closed on Jan. 16. Only players who already entered their names in the portal are eligible to sign with new teams.