A work in progress for the Bama Hammer site is a pre-Spring Practice depth chart. It will be published soon, but two Alabama football position groups have little clarity. One is the Tide’s wide receiver group and the other is the offensive line.
New offensive line coach, Eric Wolford has plenty of options to ‘tackle’ the big question marks at left and right tackle. Even without a coaching change the competition at those two positions was going to be wide open going into the spring. With Wolford bringing a new perspective, all the guys begin spring having to prove themselves.
Assuming only the guys on campus this spring have a chance to start the opener against Utah State, seven players are competing for the two starting roles. Also important will be the two backups. With two exceptions, the group is short in meaningful game experience.
Alabama Football Tackle Options
Note: Players listed by class designation
- Amari Kight – Redshirt Junior; 6’7″ and 322 pounds
- Damieon George Jr. – Junior; 6’6″ and 333 pounds
- Javion Cohen – Junior; 6’4″ and 305 pounds
- JC Latham – Sophomore; 6’6″ and 326 pounds
- Tommy Brockermeyer – Redshirt Freshman; 6’5″ and 304 pounds
- Tyler Booker – Early Enrollee Freshman; 6’5″ and 332 pounds
The seventh player is not primarily a tackle. He is blocking tight end, and sixth-year player, Kendall Randolph. Last spring Randolph was in serious contention to start at right tackle. He may be needed more at tight end, but with a new position coach, Randolph could get another shot at right tackle.
Amari Kight has played in just 10 games in his Crimson Tide career. His only significant action was 36 snaps against New Mexico State last season. Per rolltide.com, Kight missed no assignments against the Aggies.
Damieon George Jr. has three starts in his Alabama football career. They came last season against New Mexico State, Arkansas and Auburn. His performance overall had mixed results. There are doubts he has the quickness to handle speed rushers. After the three starts, he only saw special teams’ action in the CFB Playoff games.
Javion Cohen has considerable experience at guard. He started 14 games at left guard last season. He may continue as an interior offensive lineman, but he has the physical build to move outside.
JC Latham played in 14 games last season. When Emil Ekiyor was injured against Cincinnati, Latham became the Tide’s right guard. Latham is another player who could move to tackle. In terms of physical skills, Latham is the Crimson Tide player most comparable to Evan Neal.
Former 5-Star recruit, Tommy Brockermeyer needed a redshirt season to recover from injury and develop his body. He did not play last season.
Tyler Booker is the latest, highly heralded high school offensive lineman to join the Crimson Tide. Some Alabama football insiders believe Booker has the most potential in the tackle group. How fast he progresses will be interesting to follow this spring.
Spring will be important for these guys to establish a place in the pecking order. Competition for the starting tackle positions is expected to continue through fall camp scrimmages.