Alabama needs Michigan transfers to make strides on offensive line

Photo comes via Detroit Free Press

The offensive line has been an issue for Alabama football since 2021.

Kalen DeBoer sends warning to Alabama OL Jackson Lloyd after he’s announced a starter

Adrian Klemm, 48, becomes the fourth position coach – following Doug Marrone, Eric Wolford, and Chris Kapilovic – to improve the unit. Alabama fans desire a group that can consistently pass protect and open opportunities in the run game.

The Crimson Tide returns a starter in Michael Carroll and a backup in Jackson Lloyd, who Ryan Grubb announced as the starting left tackle, but Alabama also made use of the NCAA transfer portal in building quality depth.

Racin Delgatty (formerly of Cal Poly) and Jayvin James (formerly of Mississippi State) are in position to possibly start on the offensive front. Both have looked good in spring practice, yet DeBoer looks for a couple more transfers to be impactful if the Tide wants a bounce back year. Ty Haywood and Kaden Strayhorn, formerly of Michigan, chose Tuscaloosa (Ala.) as their transfer destination via the portal. Strayhorn is competing against Delgatty at center, while Haywood’s flexibility would have him as a guard or tackle.

Haywood, a native of Denton, Texas, was committed to the University of Alabama in the 2025 recruiting class. He ended up choosing the Wolverines as a five-star and played in three games last season. The 6-foot-5, 312-pounder has a lot of potential to be marquee for the Tide.

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Strayhorn, a redshirt freshman, is a Michigan native.

He spent time at IMG Academy with fellow Alabama offensive lineman, Michael Carroll. 

Strayhorn saw two games of action at Michigan, yet college football in his bloodline. His father, Jason, was a center at Michigan State under Nick Saban – making team captain and first-team All-Big Ten in 1998. Strayhorn was a three-sport athlete in high school, competing in football, wrestling, and track, before going to IMG Academy. DeBoer stated that Haywood and Strayhorn are both needed to contribute this season.

“We need them to make big, big strides,” DeBoer said of Haywood and Strayhorn. “Because they don’t have a lot of snaps under their belt, we are going to need them to be in the mix and be competitive with those guys at the 1s. They still have work, but they come in and bring a great attitude as I expect. They also have the ability, you see it in them, and it is what we hope for.”

Hopefully, both can make an impact and help Alabama to success in the fall.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.