Sometimes the best moves you can make are by retaining players on your roster. Alabama football did just that on Thursday when star center Parker Brailsford announced his intentions to return for his senior season, his second in Tuscaloosa after transferring in from Washington.
“I’ll be coming back,” Brailsford said. “Just talked to my family, talked to my people that give me good advice on what they think and things going on. I talked to some people around the building to see what they had to say, and I think the overall consensus is I should come back.”
Brailsford enjoyed a tremendous first season at Alabama and could have potentially found himself selected on the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft. According to Mel Kiper Jr., Brailsford was ranked as the No. 4 center in the upcoming draft.
Earlier in the season it looked highly possible that Alabama would be replacing all three interior linemen positions. Tyler Booker, Brailsford, and Jaedan Roberts were all highly ranked NFL Draft prospects at their respective positions.
While it is still likely that Booker declares for the draft as a potential first-round pick, he might be the only loss among the offensive line starters. As things stand, the Crimson Tide could return four starters on the offensive line with Brailsford, Roberts, Kadyn Proctor, and Elijah Pritchett.
The first three are set in stone as starters, but Pritchett figures to be in competition with Wilkin Formby and perhaps a Transfer Portal addition at right tackle.
Brailsford's return gives Alabama an anchor on the offensive line and leadership up front which should help with the near certainty of a new quarterback under center. He'll start the season as a Preseason All-SEC and on the Rimington Award watchlist after being snubbed in 2024.