Alabama fell just short of another national title, as the Crimson Tide lost to Georgia in the final college football game of the season. However, that is now in the past, and it’s time to look ahead to the upcoming 2022 season.
Spring practices are right around the corner, which means head coach Nick Saban will have an early opportunity to address some issues from last season and evaluate veteran players and newcomers.
According to Brad Crawford of 247Sports, the Crimson Tide will need to address the offensive line during spring practices.
Alabama loses a game-changer in Evan Neal, who is expected to be an early first-round draft selection next month. Replacing him will not be easy when your goal is to protect the reigning Heisman-winning quarterback.
Crawford writes,
“Nick Saban would be the first to assure you that starting spots aren’t secured at Alabama during spring camp. However, the defending SEC champion coach will get a better idea of a rotation and a potential first-team along his offensive line, a unit replacing Evan Neal — the best player in the conference at his position. There are numerous positions up front that will feature competitive battles for playing time and by program standards, Alabama’s offensive line underperformed in 2021 despite reaching the national title game. The Crimson Tide gave up 41 sacks, second-most in the league and the highest in Saban’s tenure. It wasn’t all bad, though. Bryce Young did win the Heisman.”
2022 Alabama signee and early-enrollee Tyler Booker from IMG Academy may be a name to look out for as a new face that could appear on the line.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover the Crimson Tide as the offseason continues.
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