Kalen DeBoer and Alabama are going through a complete offensive line overhaul this offseason, but one of the few pieces that would have been welcomed back with open arms is star center Parker Brailsford.
Alas, it wasn't meant to be.
The redshirt junior center has decided to forego his final season of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced on Monday:
Parker Brailsford declares for the NFL draft. pic.twitter.com/ZWqwzCjpSn
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) January 5, 2026
Brailsford has been projected as a day two pick in the draft, likely to be selected in the second or third round. He has impressive tape, but is a bit undersized for an NFL center, and at a non-premium position, the second day of the draft will likely be his ceiling.
He's an exceptional athlete, however, and was one of the only real bright spots on the offensive line for Alabama over the last two seasons. Brailsford was a big addition to the Crimson Tide in the Transfer Portal in 2024, following Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama.
Alabama likely to only return one OL starter in 2026
With Brailsford declaring for the NFL Draft and Kadyn Proctor likely soon to follow, Alabama is likely only going to return one starter from this season's offensive line in 2026. Kam Dewberry, Geno VanDeMark, and Jaeden Roberts are all out of eligibility, and redshirt sophomore Wilkin Formby entered the Transfer Portal on Sunday.
The only returning starter looks to be Michael Carroll, who took over at right tackle down the stretch of the season and impressed during his freshman season.
An overhaul up front shouldn't be all that surprising, considering how poorly the offensive line played this season. It was one of the worst seasons of running the football in Tide history, and Ty Simpson was under constant harassment from opposing pass rushes.
A change in personnel and on the coaching staff is likely.
With Brailsford declaring for the draft and Alabama losing all three of its backups at center (VanDeMark, along with Joseph Ionata and Roq Montgomery), Alabama will be in the market for a couple of guys to compete at the position.
One of them is in Tuscaloosa on Monday for a visit: Michigan transfer Kaden Strayhorn, who was high school teammates with Carroll at IMG Academy.
Alabama has also been in contact with Texas State standout center Brock Riker, though so have many other schools.
The Crimson Tide has a lot of spots to fill on the offensive line in the Transfer Portal.