Some see it as a strength for Alabama football in the fall after allowing 44 sacks in 2023; however, the Crimson Tide’s offensive line has not done much talking in the offseason.
Chris Kapilovic, Alabama’s OL coach, is making sure his group is a marquee strength. The Tide has spent the summer training with OL Masterminds out of Frisco, Texas. Duke Manyweather is the offensive line developer of the group, but he also has Lane Johnson with him. Johnson, a University of Oklahoma alumnus, has been in the National Football League as a right tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles since 2013. He was the No. 4 overall selection in the ’13 NFL Draft, making five Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro honors (2017, 2022), and winning a Super Bowl over the New England Patriots in the 2017 season (2018 matchup).
Kadyn Proctor, Tyler Booker, Wilkin Formby, and Olaus Alinen have been with OL Masterminds.
Roll Tide 🐘 @AlabamaFTBL https://t.co/fyPYy0tp5V
— OL Masterminds (@OLMasterminds) July 13, 2024
@OLMasterminds pic.twitter.com/ONtCGuY3Ks
— Wilkin Formby🦍 (@wilkinformby) July 13, 2024
#BuiltByBama 🐘 https://t.co/2LHnHibFNp
— Olaus Alinen (@alinen_olaus) July 14, 2024
Proctor and Booker return as starters from last season. Proctor transferred to Iowa after Nick Saban announced his retirement from coaching on Jan. 10, but he came back to the Tide in the summer. Formby has an opportunity to win a starting spot at right tackle, if he beats out Elijah Pritchett. Alinen, an elite prospect in the 2023 class, has a chance to be a special guard in Tuscaloosa.
RELATED: Alabama’s coaching staff reacts to 5-star OL committing to Crimson Tide for 2025 class
Alabama want to return to dominating defenses up front with its rushing attack and pass protection.
The 2012 offensive unit was the last elite one, but the 2020 line was very good. This group is about to earn its respect.
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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.
