It’s a year of transition for the Alabama offense, swapping out Jalen Milroe for Ty Simpson heading in Year 2 of the Kalen DeBoer era, but around the quarterback, much will be the same in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide return their top two receivers from a year ago, Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, Jam Miller is back as RB1, and maybe most importantly, the offensive line is largely intact.
Alabama is returning three starters up front, Kadyn Proctor, Parker Brailsford, and Jaeden Roberts, who will comprise the foundation of an O-line that should be one of the best in the country. Yet, even with top returners, depth is always a priority in the trenches, especially in the SEC, and a body transformation from a redshirt freshman may help to provide more of that.
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman William Sanders has added 18 pounds since arriving on campus in 2024.
— Crimson Coverage (@CrimsonCoverage) August 5, 2025
The Alabama native saw action in two games last season at the guard position. He figures to be a key reserve at the guard position this season.
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18 pounds heavier, Williams Sanders will compete to be a key reserve on Alabama’s offensive line
Proctor is a top NFL prospect at left tackle, Brailsford is established as one of the best centers in the country, and Roberts is locked into the starting right guard job. Aside from that triumvirate of freaks, Wilkin Formby is the obvious answer at right tackle while Geno VanDeMark and Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry wage a fall camp battle for the left guard spot.
The arrival of Dewberry makes Alabama six deep on the offensive line, but attrition is an inevitability, particularly as the college football season stretches toward 16 or even 17 games for the teams in the national championship game. So, who are No. 7, 8, and 9 for the Tide? Well, Williams Sanders appears to be submitting a strong case to be in the mix.
A 2024 three-star recruit, Sanders has turned heads since arriving in Tuscaloosa, including that of 2025 first-round NFL draft pick Tyler Booker. Sanders’ impressive freshman season earned him eight snaps at left guard, but now nearly 20 pounds heavier, listed at 6-foot-3 and 308, he should be in line for much more.
The loser of the VanDeMark-Dewberry competition will be the primary backup on the interior, with VanDeMark most likely to slide to center if Brailsford misses time. Then, Sanders, Olaus Alinen, and Michael Carroll should be next in line on the inside.
Alinen played 92 snaps last season as a redshirt freshman, all at left guard, but he could also be the primary backup at right tackle. Carroll is a five-star freshman who could quickly ascend DeBoer’s depth chart.
While it’s a battle for playing time in fall camp, Alabama could need all three reserve linemen to navigate a long season in the SEC.