All of the offseason focus in Tuscaloosa has been on the quarterback position, and for good reason. While it’s clear that Ty Simpson has pole position heading into Day 1 of fall camp on Wednesday, Kalen DeBoer has been reluctant to name the redshirt junior his starter, instead opting for a three-way QB battle between Simpson, Austin Mack, and five-star freshman Keelon Russell.
Ultimately, however, it’s a near certainty how that competition will play out. So, the most important camp battle is the one happening in front of Simpson as Geno VanDeMark and Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry vie to be Tyler Booker’s replacement at left guard.
It’s only Day 1, but updates out of Tuscaloosa reveal that it’s the two-year Crimson Tide veteran who has the upper hand on the newcomer.
Geno VanDeMark takes first-team left guard snaps on Day 1 of fall camp
When Kalen DeBoer took over in Tuscaloosa, Geno VanDeMark was one of 15 incoming transfers that he used to retool the Alabama roster after a considerable exodus following Nick Saban’s retirement.
Unlike Parker Brailsford, LT Overton, Germie Bernard, and plenty of others, VanDeMark was unable to earn a role as a full-time starter in Year 1 with the Tide. However, DeBoer and offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic fed him enough reps in a right guard rotation with Jaeden Roberts to prepare him to take over for Booker once he left to become a first-round NFL Draft pick. Now, despite the competition from Dewberry, it looks like he’s getting his chance.
On Day 1 of fall camp, VanDeMark reportedly took the first-team left guard snaps ahead of Dewberry.
VanDeMark played a career-high 409 snaps last season, with 277 of those coming at right guard in relief of Roberts. His only start came at left guard in Week 2 against USF, and he didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure. Dewberry has a touch more college experience, playing just over 1,100 snaps across three years at Texas A&M, compared to VanDeMark’s 908 between Michigan State and Alabama.
Dewberry, though, began to fall out of favor with the new coaching staff in College Station as Mike Elko replaced Jimbo Fisher. He played the fewest snaps of his career last season and struggled in his extended appearances, most notably allowing three QB pressures in 60 snaps against New Mexico State.
Much of Alabama’s offensive line is already set in stone. Brailsford returns to start at center with recognition on the Outland Trophy watchlist, Roberts is locked into the right guard spot, and three-year starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor enters the season as a top NFL prospect. The only two spots in question are right tackle, likely to be won by former top recruit Wilkin Formby, who is coming off a shaky redshirt freshman campaign, and left guard.
With that group of returning starters, the Tide could have one of the best groups in the country, but the offensive line is a weak-link unit. With a first-year starting quarterback, regardless of who wins that competition, DeBoer needs to use fall camp to ensure that there isn’t one, especially not at left guard.