Kalen DeBoer is in the midst of overhauling Alabama's offensive line for 2026. After back-to-back disappointing seasons up front, it appears the Crimson Tide will only return one starter from this season.
LT Kadyn Proctor is widely expected to enter the NFL Draft. Starting center Parker Brailsford announced his draft intentions on Monday. At guard, Geno VanDeMark, Kam Dewberry, and Jaeden Roberts are all out of eligibility. Starting right guard Wilkin Formby entered the Transfer Portal on Sunday.
That leaves Michael Carroll, a true freshman in 2025, as the last man standing at right tackle. Backups on the current roster like Jackson Lloyd and William Sanders will compete for starting roles, but Alabama will be looking for at least one, if not multiple starters on the offensive line in the Transfer Portal, along with several other depth pieces.
Alabama may have already identified Brailsford's replacement in Michigan transfer Kaden Strayhorn, who will be in Tuscaloosa for a visit on Monday:
I will be at the University of Alabama tomorrow 🐘
— Kaden Strayhorn (@kaden_strayhorn) January 5, 2026
Michigan transfer Kaden Strayhorn could be Alabama's Parker Brailsford replacement
Strayhorn was a 3-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, but had an impressive list of offers that included Michigan, Alabama, and Ohio State. He ultimately chose the Wolverines, but decided to enter the Transfer Portal after the coaching change in Ann Arbor.
Strayhorn will have four seasons of eligibility left after redshirting this season at Michigan.
Strayhorn has multiple connections to Alabama. He was high school teammates with Carroll at IMG Academy, and they are good friends. His Dad, Jason Strayhorn, played center at Michigan State in the 1990s for none other than Nick Saban.
He has the pedigree and athleticism that Alabama is looking for from its interior offensive linemen.
With Alabama losing Brailsford, along with three others who had experience at center (Geno VanDeMark, Joseph Ionata, and Roq Montgomery), DeBoer and company are likely in the market for multiple options at center and/or the interior of the offensive line.
The Crimson Tide has also been linked to Texas State's Brock Riker, who played center for the Bobcats this past season but could theoretically shuffle at any of the interior spots.
You can keep up with all the happenings in the Transfer Portal for Alabama by following this link.