Kalen DeBoer says transfer lineman “built himself up” after joining Alabama

Cal Poly transfer Racin Delgatty. Photo | Racin Delgatty's Instagram, @_racin78

Alabama has a puzzle to piece together when it comes to this season’s offensive line. Sophomore Michael Carroll is the only returning starter from last year’s unit, and his right tackle position is the only solidified spot on this year’s front five. 

While there are still ongoing position battles for the other four openings, Cal Poly transfer Racin Delgatty enters spring camp as the clear favorite at the center position. The redshirt junior started 20 games at center over the past two seasons, including 12 last season. While he’ll need to make the transition from the FCS level to the SEC, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman seems to be off to a solid start two practices into camp. 

“He’s come in and really built himself up,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said of Delgatty on Tuesday. “I think the strength and conditioning program was a big part that he was excited about, and he took advantage of that. The last few weeks you can really see him take some strides there with his strength numbers. I think that’s probably given him confidence with his steps on the football field.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Delgatty earned a 79.9 pass-blocking grade, allowing 11 pressures and no sacks over 460 pass-blocking snaps. He also earned a 62.2 grade over 312 run-blocking snaps, according to the scouting service. 

Delgatty’s mobility at the center makes him an ideal fit for Alabama’s offensive scheme, which regularly calls for its lineman to pull and shift. However, the redshirt junior’s experience will likely be his most vital trait early in his Alabama career.

Alabama lost all of its centers from last season, as starter Parker Brailsford moved on to the NFL, backup Geno VanDeMark ran out of eligibility and third-string option ​​Joseph Ionata transferred to Georgia Tech. 

The Tide is also replacing left tackle Kadyn Proctor as well as guards Wilkin Formby, Kam-Dewberry and Jaeden Roberts. Filling those spots will require some experimenting over the next few weeks. 

“Again, we’ve got to put pads on,” DeBoer said. “It’s hard to evaluate that right now. But him going out there and making the calls, getting things started, that’s what a center’s got to do, he’s done a good job so far.”

Delgatty was one of six transfer offensive linemen Alabama brought in through the transfer portal, joining Nick Brooks (Texas), Ethan Fields (Ole Miss), Ty Haywood (Michigan), Jayvin James (Mississippi State) and Kaden Strayhorn (Michigan). The Tide also returns a pair of up-and-coming linemen in redshirt freshman Jackson Lloyd and redshirt sophomore William Sanders, who should compete for first-team roles at tackle and guard, respectively. 

“​​Guys are hungry,” DeBoer said. “Guys come in, they’re wide-eyed, ready to learn. It creates competition. That’s what you want across your team, but especially in that room. And they really made a lot of improvements in the strength, and really excited about– you wanna be excited about every guy, but excited about some certain guys in particular. And now, you just got to see that translate onto the football field.”

Tuesday’s practice was Alabama’s second of 15 spring workouts during camp. The Tide will take Wednesday off before returning to the field Thursday.