Tag: Alabama offensive line

CFB analyst speaks highly of Alabama’s interior offensive line

Alabama’s offensive line means business in 2024.

A lot of Alabama Crimson Tide football fans are aware of how good the interior offensive line unit can be this season. Pro Football Focus college football analyst Max Chadwick recently acknowledged Alabama’s interior offensive line by saying, “This might be the best interior offensive line that I’ve ever seen.”

Chadwick and many others focus specifically on studying and grading various players across the country. It sounds like Chadwick has done his homework on the Crimson  Tide’s interior offensive line.

Rising junior Tyler Booker is the anchor of the Alabama offensive line at left guard. Booker has been a key piece of the Crimson Tide’s offensive line unit the past two seasons. He is expected to be a first-round draft pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Redshirt junior Jaeden Roberts will play opposite of Booker at right guard. Roberts was overlooked during his first few seasons with the Crimson Tide, However, he made his presence known during his redshirt sophomore season. Roberts has impressive size at 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds. He will be counted on as a leader during the 2024-2025 season.

Lastly, the Crimson Tide brought in one of the top centers in college football in Washington Huskies transfer Parker Brailsford. The Arizona native was the anchor of a Washington offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award — recognizes the top offensive line unit in college football.

Chadwick has some good supporting information to support his claim. It will be interesting to see if Chadwick is right. Alabama fans are also eager to see how the interior offensive line creates holes for the running backs as well as how they will protect Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program.

Where does Alabama’s offensive line rank in college football according to PFF?

Will Alabama have the best offensive line in the country in 2024?

We all know that if you want to compete for a championship at any level of football, you better be sound up front along the offensive line. Fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program saw that up close and personal during the dominant run by [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] in Tuscaloosa.

It’s only logical that one question that Crimson Tide fans have had this offseason as Kalen DeBoer prepares Alabama for his first season as the head coach is whether or not the offensive line will continue to be a strength of the program.

According to Max Chadwick of PFF College, Alabama may just have the best offensive line in the country this fall.

Chadwick points to the presence of [autotag]Tyler Booker[/autotag], [autotag]Parker Brailsford[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaeden Roberts[/autotag] in the interior of the line as the strength of the group.

The Crimson Tide takes the top spot because they have one of the most loaded interior offensive lines in recent memory.

The growth of [autotag]Kadyn Proctor[/autotag] at left tackle throughout the 2023 season should also give Tide fans hope.

They also return sophomore left tackle Kadyn Proctor, who transferred from Alabama to Iowa and back to Alabama, all in a span of three months. The former top-10 recruit’s freshman season was a roller coaster, as he earned a 76.3 PFF grade in the final seven games after posting a 54.5 mark in the first seven.

There is no denying the fact that Proctor, Booker, Brailsford, and Roberts make up a fantastic group, but there are still question marks at right tackle entering the 2024 season with Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby competing for the final spot.

If Alabama can just have adequate production at right tackle, there is no reason this group couldn’t be among the best in the country this season.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

What adding Geno VanDeMark means to the Alabama offensive line

Alabama has solidified the interior of its offensive line with the addition of Geno VanDeMark

On Saturday afternoon, former Michigan State offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark announced his commitment to Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

With the addition of VanDeMark, Coach DeBoer and the Tide have made one of the more impressive overall hauls from this cycle of the transfer portal. VanDeMark is the second offensive lineman to join the Tide in the spring portal window alongside Kadyn Proctor who briefly spent time with the Iowa Hawkeyes before deciding to return to Alabama.

So where exactly does VanDeMark fit along the Crimson Tide offensive line? As an interior guy, I wouldn’t expect him to surpass what Alabama has returned there with [autotag]Tyler Booker[/autotag] and Jaeden Roberts holding down each guard spot and Washington transfer [autotag]Parker Brailsford[/autotag] anchoring the line at center. But he will provide some much-needed depth and experience, something the Crimson Tide is sorely lacking especially with the sudden departure of James Brockermeyer.

The most likely scenario is that VanDeMark will play the backup role for all three interior spots along the offensive line and serve as the Tide’s sixth man upfront.

With VanDeMark now in the mix, Alabama’s question marks along the offensive line are quickly disappearing.

Stay connected to Roll Tide Wire for more continued coverage of the Alabama Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Kalen DeBoer discusses the improvement of the Alabama offensive line this spring

Will Alabama’s offensive line be better in 2024?

One of the biggest question marks for Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide football team entering the 2024 season is the offensive line. This spring the Crimson Tide coaches were tasked with replacing three starters along the line with JC Latham heading to the NFL and Seth McLaughlin and Kadyn Proctor testing the transfer portal.

On Monday night Coach DeBoer addressed the big guys upfront during his segment on “Hey Coach” and detailed the importance that the offensive line plays for the team.

“I think when your offensive line is the makeup of the right people – and I’m talking about character and things like that; work ethic, team-first guys, humility, all those characteristics along with talent – man, you’re setting yourself and your team up for a great opportunity,” DeBoer said.

“And the reason is every single day, if you can protect your quarterback and you can function well in the run game, you’re giving yourself a chance to read the plays from a quarterback perspective and let those wide receivers work, which means also that the defensive guys are getting their work in, too.

“If you’re on an offensive line and it’s a sack or a tackle for loss each and every play in practice, the rest of the team really isn’t getting that work in that they need to get better. And so it does all start up front. I think that especially that group, when you talk about a group that doesn’t get a lot of notoriety.

“They can certainly be the team-first guys that everyone else looks to and takes a lot of pride in and can learn from each and every day.”

Coach DeBoer also spoke to the improvements that his offensive line made during spring ball.

“That group did a great job from Practice 1 to Practice 15,” DeBoer said. “I really haven’t thought through which group had the most improvement, but if I had to start somewhere, I’d go to them because of just how they seem to develop their overall game. You guys didn’t see it but in Scrimmage 1, they ran the ball well but they didn’t probably protect as well.

“And you saw what we did in the final scrimmage, and there was some really solid pass protection, which allowed the quarterbacks to be able to work down the field, throw balls not just short and quick but also with some play action, got the run game going. So I thought they did a real nice job overall.

“Some moving parts in there, some guys played a couple of different spots and we gained some depth and flexibility with some of the positions they played.”

Since spring practice completed a couple of weeks ago, the Crimson Tide have landed Proctor back from the portal and that should help solidify the offensive line even more heading into the inarguarl season of the Kalen DeBoer era of Alabama football.

Stay connected to Roll Tide Wire for around-the-clock coverage of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

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Nick Sheridan praises the strength of offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts

Jaeden Roberts has quickly impressed new Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan

The Incredible Hulk, Samson, and Superman are just a few of the names synonymous with strength and power. According to new Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, redshirt junior offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts belongs in that group.

On Tuesday afternoon, once the Crimson Tide wrapped up its seventh practice of the spring, Coach Sheridan would field questions from local reporters. When asked about Roberts, Sheidan’s face lit up like a Christmas tree.

“What a great kid, talk about a worker,” Sheridan told reporters. “Strong, extremely strong. I think he’s building on the foundation he has, with the experiences he has had, but a great kid. A joy to coach and tough and hard-working and strong. Did I mention strong? J-Rob is strong and an awesome kid. We’re glad he’s on our side.”

Standing at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Roberts has the ideal size to combine with his incredible strength making him a desirable option on the interior of the Alabama offensive line.

Roberts started nine games for the Tide in 2023 and was arguably one of the biggest surprises on offense last season.

It’s clear that Roberts has quickly earned the respect of the new coaching staff and should play an impactful role for the Crimson Tide in 2024.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Somethings gotta give: Texas A&M’s D-line vs. Alabama’s O-line

Texas A&M’s surging D-line will need to handle Alabama’s susceptible O-line in order for in order to establish early dominance in the trenches.

When it comes down to strengths and weaknesses, Texas A&M’s pivotal Week 6 clash with the visiting Alabama Crimson Tide will be determined in the trenches, as the Aggies ascending defensive line, currently ranked second in sacks (20) and first in sack rate percentage in the country.

Since the start of SEC play, rumors of a potential return of the vaunted “Wrecking Crew” have made its way into the mainstream, as Texas A&M’s once anemic pass rush has found new life under second-year defensive coordinator D.J Durkin, whose 5th-ranked defense utterly demolished both Auburn and Arkansas to the tune of 14 sacks and 30 tackles for loss. In comparison, five players have two or more sacks, led by Shemar Turner’s 3.5 sacks in five games.

Now, looking at Alabama’s talented but underwhelming offensive line, freshman left tackle Kayden Proctor is still adjusting to the game’s speed. At the same time, center Seth McLaughlin is the only senior member in the trenches. So far this season, quarterback Jalen Milroe’s duel-threat ability is the only reason the Tides’ passing game hasn’t fallen off a cliff, as Alabama’s O-line ranks 122nd in sacks allowed (20), allowing a sack 15.6% of the time, the second worst rate in the country.

With all the recruiting success in the defensive trenches, former 2022 five-star defensive tackle Walter Nolen has stood out the most in his second season, leading all defensive tackles with three sacks or five, according to PFF. While stats are, well, stats, the combination of speed to power and enhanced technique yielded his production through the gaps, providing nearly every Aggie lineman and blitzing linebacker to find space and suffocate the pocket.

Yes, Alabama will likely try to establish the run early with the senior running back duo of Jace McClellan and Roydell Williams. However, here’s a reminder that the Aggies are currently the 20th-ranked run defense, holding opponents to 2.8 yards per rush. Anything can happen on Saturday afternoon, but in front of 100,000-plus screaming fans in Kyle Field, this defense, especially the D-line, looks to feed off the crowd noise and continue dominating the competition.

Texas A&M will host No.10 Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 2:30 p.m. CT, inside Kyle Field (TV: CBS).

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

Projecting Alabama’s starting OL vs. Middle Tennessee State

What Alabama’s starting offensive line could be in its Week 1 matchup against Middle Tennessee State!

When Sept. 2 rolls around and [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide welcome in Middle Tennessee State to open up the 2023 football season, there will be plenty of eyes on which players trot onto the field as starters for the Tide.

One position group that is certain to have people’s attention is the offensive line. Alabama fans are hungry for physical play along the offensive line and there have been some key battles going on throughout fall camp, most notably on the left side.

With kickoff in less than two weeks, let’s project Alabama’s starting offensive line when they take on the Blue Raiders under the lights of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Tyler Booker’s move back to left guard explained by Nick Saban

Coach Saban is moving guys around on the offensive line

On Saturday, [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama football wrapped up their final scrimmage of fall camp, and later this week, once classes begin on campus in Tuscaloosa,  the Tide will enter into game week mode and begin to prepare for their Sept. 2 season opener against Middle Tennessee State.

With the struggles that have come at that position group over the past couple of seasons, it’s obvious why so many folks are fascinated with the offensive line, most notably the left side. Following Saturday’s scrimmage, Coach Saban confirmed that some changes had been made to help accommodate the youth and inexperience on the left side of the offensive line.

“I think it’s made a lot of improvement,” Saban said of the left side of the offensive line. “Basically, we moved some guys around to try and get a balance of experience a little bit more. (Booker) played left guard last year. He was playing right guard, but we moved him back to left guard. I think that’s helped the left tackles who are less experienced, somebody that’s got more experience, more confidence, can make calls, can help them with their communication.

“That doesn’t mean it’s the way it’s going to be, but that’s one thing that has helped, to some degree, on that side of the line.”

It’s beginning to look like true freshman Kadyn Proctor has locked down the left tackle position, but Terrence Ferguson, who is also an inexperienced player who has worked exclusively at left guard and center, was on the verge of winning the left guard spot over veteran Darrian Dalcourt. With the move of Booker from right to left, Dalcourt now has emerged as a possible starter at right guard since he does have game experience there.

I believe it is safe to say we could see musical offensive linemen, especially early on in this season while to coaches discover which five make up the best starting unit.

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Nick Saban looking for more depth and consistency along the offensive line

Building more depth and consistency is Nick Saban’s goal for the Alabama offensive line

There is no question that one of the more inconsistent position groups for Alabama over the past couple of seasons has been the offensive line. In 2021, the Crimson Tide allowed 42 sacks over the course of the season which led to the hiring of Eric Wolford from Kentucky. Coach Wolf quickly put his stamp on the group which saw a ton of improvement in 2022 and nearly cut the sack total in half by allowing 22 sacks. Still, improvements are needed for the bug guys up front.

Following Saturday’s first scrimmage of fall camp, Nick Saban was asked about the progress of the offensive line and the head coach of the Crimson Tide was very blunt in his assessment.

“Inconsistent, not enough depth. We had a couple explosive runs but you know, when you’re playing against each other, was the explosive run because of great execution or was it because of terrible execution on the other side? Until you watch the film it’s kind of hard to evaluate. I just think we need to get more guys in the offensive line to be able to play winning football and we need to add depth to the group. We have maybe, six, seven guys that I think are in play but we need a lot more than that to get through the season.”

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.
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Improvements Alabama must make in 2023 to reach the CFP

Five improvements Alabama needs to make in 2023 in order to return to the CFP!

In less than two months, [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama football team will take the field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium to take on the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders to kick off the 2023 season.

There’s no denying that the 2022 season did not go the way fans or the team had hoped for and even still, there are plenty of question marks heading into the new season.

The quarterback battle in Tuscaloosa has dominated the headlines this offseason and while it is obviously important, I believe if the Tide can improve in some other areas on the team, regardless of who starts at quarterback, Alabama can return to the college football playoff.

With that said, here are five improvements Alabama needs to make in 2023!