The sleeper on the offensive line for the Alabama Crimson Tide ahead of fall camp

Photo via Alabama Athletics

There are a lot of conversations going on about Alabama football’s offensive line ahead of the 2026 college football season.

The Crimson Tide has mostly a rebuilt offensive line after losing six offensive linemen who started games last season to the transfer portal and the NFL. Alabama also has a new offensive line coach in Adrian Klemm and 11 new faces at the position from the transfer portal and high school ranks.

However, one of the returning faces may need a little bit more attention. Mal Waldrep, who is a former three-star recruit and a product of Central Phenix City High School in Alabama, is a player to watch.

Waldrep spent a good bit of time lining up at guard while working with the Tide’s ones and twos throughout the spring, and he worked with Alabama’s starting offensive line at left guard on A-Day.

“Mal has been in with the twos, but he has rotated with the ones,” DeBoer said during the spring. “He had an injury at the end of the year, but it is really good to see him. He is really picking things up, and he’s gaining more confidence.”

Waldrep is expected to compete for that starting offensive guard job throughout the spring, and there appears to be some confidence in Waldrep among the Tide’s staff, sources tell Touchdown Alabama ahead of fall camp.

Will Sanders, who is coming back from injury, is expected to compete for the guard role as well. He is expected to be back on the field for fall camp, but it is unclear how healthy he will be and how adjusted he will be during the early days of fall camp. This creates an opportunity for Waldrep to take advantage.