Alabama Football: What is Darrian Dalcourt’s role in 2023?

Among the returnees for Alabama Football in the 2023 season is graduate student Darrian Dalcourt. Dalcourt, capitalizing on the benefit of an extra year of COVID eligibility, is returning for his fifth season in Tuscaloosa.

On paper, Darrian Dalcourt is the most experienced offensive linemen on the roster, appearing in 32 career games with 16 starts at center. Dalcourt’s experience will be a valuable commodity on a relatively young line that could potentially start at least one true freshman.

The complicated aspect of his return is that the starting spot at center is far from guaranteed. Senior center Seth McLaughlin also returns for the Crimson Tide. McLaughlin has played in 22 games with 11 starts in his own right, and has outperformed Dalcourt in many respects. The two have competed against each other for the starting position in each of the last two years, and will likely do so again this fall. However, it appears that McLaughlin has finally surpassed Dalcourt.

Darrian Dalcourt has been a serviceable presence at center, but has never proven to be a standout. Unfortunately, he has also been limited by fairly significant injury issues. After beginning the 2021 and 2022 campaigns as the starting center, Dalcourt’s health prevented him from finishing both seasons. McLaughlin replaced him in both instances and performed well, even providing an added spark to the Alabama running game. He has also been more durable throughout his career.

If Seth McLaughlin starts at center in 2023, how will Alabama Football utilize Darrian Dalcourt? He could potentially bump over to one of the guard positions and bring some value there. Bama currently has an opening on the interior offensive line, and Dalcourt was recruited out of high school as a 4-star interior lineman in the class of 2019.

However, it doesn’t appear he has much experience playing anything other than center, which is the only position he has played at Alabama.

It is far too early to count out Dalcourt as the starting center if he is healthy. After all, he has won the job over McLaughlin in two consecutive fall camps. Even in the event that he is relegated to a role as the backup, he will be a very important piece of the Alabama Football team. Quality depth is important everywhere, and on the offensive line in particular.

Dalcourt will certainly be a contributor on the 2023 team, it is just unclear at this point exactly what his role will be.