Alabama's offensive line took a step in the right direction against UL Monroe, but it still hasn't fully come together through two games the way the coaching staff wants it to, at least on one side.
The left side and the center position seem pretty well entrenched. Despite some early struggles from junior Kadyn Proctor, he's the unquestioned starter at LT. Parker Brailsford is arguably the best center in college football, a fact that the SEC Network's Cole Cubelic echoed during Saturday's game. And at LG, Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry has played well. He was one of the coaching staff's players of the week for his performance against the Warhawks.
But Alabama needs more out of the right side of the line. Against Florida State, with starters Geno VanDeMark (RG) and Wilkin Formby (RT), the Crimson Tide managed just 12 net rushing yards on six carries to that side of the formation.
That led to some subbing last weekend. While the starting five remained the same, veteran guard Jaeden Roberts rotated in at RG. He's still getting back into form following a concussion during fall camp. He'll continue to push VanDeMark for the RG job, and he can add some needed punch to the Tide's OL.
At RT, freshman Michael Carroll rotated in against ULM for his first game action. It's that spot where there could be a surprising change moving forward.
During media availability today, both OC Ryan Grubb and later Kalen DeBoer spoke highly of the freshman Carroll.
Grubb stated that he "100%" viewed the RT spot as a competition right now between Formby and Carroll, stating he thought Carroll did a really good job in the game.
"I love the way he plays. He plays hard. He plays really hard," DeBoer said about Carroll. "The competition just helps everyone. It helps Michael and his motivation. It helps Wilkin."
Michael Carroll could be just what the doctor ordered for Alabama at RT
Alabama's offensive line could use an injection of nasty. Michael Carroll is just the guy for it. Carroll drew comparisons during the recruiting process to former Tide star Tyler Booker, who became the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft in April. While Carroll may see his long-term future play out at guard, for now, he could be the best option for the Crimson Tide at right tackle.
Injecting Roberts at RG and Carroll at RT could give Alabama a powerful punch to the right side of the offensive line, which would immediately help the run game.
Formby seemed to face little competition this offseason following Elijah Pritchett's transfer to Nebraska, but he has yet to prove he's the solution at RT. Alabama has consistently thrown a TE - typically Josh Cuevas - on the right side of the line to throw a chip block to help Formby during passing downs.
Ideally, you would prefer not to have to play a true freshman on the offensive line. But if Carroll is the best option, he's got to be on the field. Even during the peak of the Alabama dynasty under Saban, there were consistently freshmen offensive linemen who played immediately.