Alabama football made its offensive line a priority in this recruiting class.
Kalen DeBoer and Chris Kapilovic (Alabama’s offensive line coach) wanted dominance in the trenches for the future. The 2012 group that featured Barrett Jones, D.J. Fluker, and Chance Warmack was the blueprint in terms of offensive fronts at Alabama, while the 2020 unit with Landon Dickerson at center was the last good group.
Alabama is expected to possibly lose Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts to the NFL Draft. We may also see some names enter the NCAA transfer portal, which is another reason to stock up on linemen.
Jackson Lloyd, Micah DeBose, Michael Carroll, and Mal Waldrep were the four names signed.
We will see what Ty Haywood, a five-star, does but the four the Tide signed all are physical guys in the run game and in pass protection. DeBose and Waldrep are maulers in the run game, while Carroll and Lloyd have good lateral quickness and hand strike techniques in pass protection. Alabama has to return to dominating opponents at the line of scrimmage. Carroll is arguably the one in the group that could push for playing time early in spring practice. He carries a relentless effort up front.
Brian Robinson Jr., a former Alabama running back, was the last 1,000-yard rusher for the Tide in 2021. Alabama wants to return to having backs of that status, but it starts with the offensive line.
Alabama has the group it needs to excel for the future.
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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.
