The Alabama offensive line took a step backward against Missouri on Saturday. Ty Simpson was sacked four times - with numerous more pressures allowed - and it completely disrupted any chance of offensive rhythm. Alabama managed just 325 yards of offense as a result, and narrowly escaped CoMo with a victory.
It was a disappointing showing, especially considering it had felt in recent weeks that the line had taken a step forward.
The coaching staff was clearly unhappy with the performance.
Every Sunday, the coaching staff releases Alabama's "players of the week." It's a list consisting of eight players:
Offense - Skill
Offense - Power
Offense - Scout
Defense - Skill
Defense - Power
Defense - Scout
Special Teams
Special Teams - Scout
Following the win over Missouri, the coaching staff released this week's players of the week. Take a peek at what's missing:
POTW 🙌 pic.twitter.com/SRegK2G3gD
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) October 12, 2025
There was no offensive "power" player of the week this week. Instead, the coaching staff recognized an extra special teams player. Dre Washington for his key stop on Missouri's 4th quarter fake punt, and then Cole Adams for his onside kick recovery.
That's a not-so-subtle message to the offensive line that the coaching staff wasn't happy with a single player up front. None of them played well enough to earn recognition.
Alabama's offensive line has to get better moving forward
Kalen DeBoer has continued to rotate up front on the offensive line. Along with the normal starting five of (L-R) Kadyn Proctor, Kam Dewberry, Parker Brailsford, Geno VanDeMark, and Wilkin Formby, Alabama gives heavy snaps to Jaeden Roberts, Michael Carroll, and William Sanders.
DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb have defended that practice, but it will be interesting to see if there are some changes next week at home against Tennessee. One change most Alabama fans want to see is freshman Michael Carroll taking over full-time at RT for Formby, who struggled more so than the others against Missouri.
Of note, per the Tuscaloosa News' Chase Goodbread, the highest graded offensive lineman for the Crimson Tide on Saturday was Sanders, who has forced his way into the rotation. He has primarily rotated with Dewberry at left guard.
Ty Simpson has been one of the nation's best - and most efficient - quarterbacks, but the offense will never reach the level it has the potential to be if the offensive line cannot give him time. When he has time, he'll pick defenses apart. When he doesn't, he'll still play well, like he did against Missouri, but the offense will bog down and not put up the points it should have.
It's a problem that needs to get fixed, and quickly, or Alabama will come up short of its goals for this season.