The offense for Alabama Football was one of the most sporadic in the country in 2024. This was a unit that averaged 44.6 points per game over its first five games of the season, scoring at least 35 points in every game. It racked up 547 yards on 8.2 yards per play in a win over Georgia that would prove to be its most explosive display of the season.
Somehow, this was the same group that sputtered down the stretch. It was completely dysfunctional in games against Tennessee (314 yards on 4.0 YPP), Oklahoma (234 yards on 4.1 YPP), and Michigan (260 yards on 4.2 YPP), all of which resulted in embarrassing losses for the Crimson Tide.
While most of the blame for the unit’s inconsistencies was directed at offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan and quarterback Jalen Milroe, Alabama also suffered from unreliable offensive line play.
This underwhelming play from the offensive line has periodically plagued the Tide for several seasons now. In fact, Alabama has not fielded a dominant and consistent O-Line since its 2020 national title run.
Insufficiencies at offensive tackle hurt Alabama in 2024
Bama’s run game was very pedestrian in 2024, ranking 47th nationally in yards per game and 50th in yards per carry. The Tide allowed 24 sacks, an improvement from the previous season but still indicative of mediocre offensive line play. It was also one of the most penalized offenses in the nation, ranking 12th in offensive penalty yardage per game and second (behind only Ole Miss) amongst power conference teams.
Alabama had all of these struggles despite having one of the better interior offensive lines in college football.
Center Parker Brailsford was named a second-team All-American, while guard Tyler Booker was also a second-team All-American and might be a first round NFL Draft pick this spring.
Regardless, an offensive line is only as good as its weakest link, and the Tide’s offensive tackles struggled mightily in 2024.
Left tackle Kadyn Proctor had his share of miscues, but generally showed improvement after a tumultuous true freshman season. Heading into year three and with a full offseason ahead of him, Alabama will need another significant jump in Proctor’s development. He will need to clean up the mistakes as he will be heavily relied upon as a cornerstone of Alabama’s 2025 offensive line.
The other side is much more of a question mark. Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby both played extensive snaps at right tackle and, frankly, neither was very impressive. Pritchett has now departed via the portal, meaning Alabama will either roll with Formby or pivot to an unknown second option.
True freshman Jackson Lloyd was a highly ranked prospect out of California and appears to be the future of the tackle position in Tuscaloosa. Still, it would be a huge ask to expect him to be ready to go in year one. Alabama also added Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom. Anugwom is massive but seems to be a developmental project and likely won't be ready to start games in 2025.
Personally, I expect Formby to take the reins heading into his redshirt sophomore season. Formby showed signs of growth as the 2024 season progressed, and ideally, he will enter the offseason with the confidence of an upperclassman who knows exactly what he is doing.
Maybe my belief in Formby will prove to be irrationally optimistic, meaning the Tide would be in desperate need of a starting caliber right tackle. Even if Formby validates my confidence, Alabama is seriously lacking in experienced depth at both tackle positions. For this reason, I think it will eventually try to add a veteran tackle in the transfer portal.
Quality offensive linemen with experience are hard to come by, but this is a necessity in my opinion. Otherwise, Alabama will enter 2025 just one injury away from having to put unproven commodities like Lloyd, Anugwom, or another young player on the field.
Last offseason, Bama was able to add seasoned transfer Geno VanDeMark to supplement its interior offensive line. This spring, it should look for a similar player to add depth at the tackle positions.