Alabama Football Fall Camp Questions: Will the Offensive Line improve?

It’s no secret that the offensive line was the biggest weakness for Alabama football in the 2021 season. The storyline has been hammered incessantly this offseason. For Alabama fans, the questions will continue until September 3rd and beyond. They won’t cease until the line is able to prove itself and regain the confidence of the fan base.

The line struggled for most of last season to protect quarterback Bryce Young and consistently open holes in the running game. At the season’s end, it lost its most impressive piece in left tackle Evan Neal, who was a top-10 pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

It also lost right tackle Chris Owens, a 6th year veteran and jack-of-all-trades along the offensive line. Whether or not you liked Owens, he was on the field for a reason. He was one of the most experienced players on the team, regardless of position, and was Alabama football’s best option at tackle opposite Neal.

The Tide will return its interior offensive line in its entirety in 2022. The only question is whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. Although they failed to meet the Alabama football standard at times last year, I think the experience of the returning contributors on the offensive line will prove to be invaluable this season.

Emil Ekiyor and Javion Cohen have combined for 43 career starts and could potentially form a road grading duo at the guard positions.

Alabama Football: Position battle at center

Senior Darrian Dalcourt and redshirt sophomore Seth McLaughlin will compete for the center position.

Dalcourt started for most of the 2021 season, but McLaughlin, by most accounts, performed at a higher level when he seized the job late in the year. Ideally, the competition for the starting slot will make both players better.

The positive here for Alabama football is that regardless of who starts, the Tide will boast a quality, starter-level backup at one of the most important positions on the field.

Alabama Football: Breaking in new tackles

With the departures of Neal and Owens, Alabama will trot out two new tackles in 2022. While experience at the position is sorely lacking, there is no absence of talent for new coach Eric Wolford to choose from.

The Crimson Tide roster features former 5-star recruits JC Latham and Tommy Brockermeyer, both of whom were top five players nationally in the 2021 class. Former 4-stars Elijah Pritchett and Tyler Booker were two of the most impressive tackles in the 2022 class and will be freshmen this season.

Former 4-star Amari Kight (℅ 2019) and Dameion George (℅ 2020) both received limited playing time last season. In theory, Kight and George have waited their turn and should be ready to assume leadership roles in 2022.

However, they appear to have been passed up by young talent and a quality transfer in Tyler Steen, formerly of Vanderbilt. Sixth year senior Kendall Randolph, who doubles as a blocking tight end in jumbo packages, could replicate Chris Owens’ 2021 role if other options falter at tackle.

All indications point to JC Latham (a true sophomore) and Steen (a redshirt senior) seizing the starting positions.

Latham possesses the tools to eventually blossom into a first round pick and Steen brings much needed experience, being one of the SEC’s most seasoned offensive linemen. However, neither has ever started a game for the Tide.

For better or worse, Latham and Steen will be two of the most important players on the Alabama football team this season. The Crimson Tide’s national title hopes may very well hinge on their development.