Despite returning three starters from last year’s unit, Alabama’s offensive line play has been far from perfect through two weeks. That’s partially on account of right guard Jaeden Roberts’ concussion, which kept him sidelined in Week 1. However, Roberts returned in the Tide’s Week 2 win over ULM, 73-0, and along with an impressive debut from freshman Michael Carroll at right guard, the depth chart is suddenly in flux.
In Roberts’ absence, Geno VanDeMark and Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry have taken starting reps at guard. Now that Roberts is back in full for Alabama’s Week 3 matchup with Wisconsin, snaps could begin to dry up for both veteran guards.
Luckily, though it's been questioned from the outside amidst the shaky start to his tenure in Tuscaloosa, Kalen DeBoer has seemed to instill the right attitude in his team, or at least in Dewberry.
“I think it creates non-complacency,” Dewberry told the media on Tuesday of Alabama’s crowded rotation in the trenches. “Being honest, being able to play six to seven guys, I see it as a good thing. You’ve got guys that you can go as hard as you can, and then you’ve got guys that can come in and not miss a beat. I think that’s one of the main things being able to play six, seven, eight guys is actually a good thing rather than people seeing it as, ‘Oh, they’re not solidified as an offensive line.’ I see it as more like guys can go 110 [percent], less snaps, less wear and tear on the body. Guys can go harder, you know what I’m saying. I think it’s a good thing for the room.”
Kam Dewberry thinks Alabama’s seven-man offensive line rotation is “a good thing.”
Currently, the Tide go at least seven deep up front, with Kadyn Proctor at left tackle and Parker Brailsford at center, the two most solidified in their roles. Roberts, VanDeMark, and Dewberry will continue to rotate at the guard spots while Wilkin Formby and Carroll battle for reps at right tackle.
The right tackle spot was not one many viewed as up for grabs, with Formby the presumed starter at Elijah Pritchett transferred away to Nebraska this offseason. However, DeBoer told the media that it is “100 percent” a competition after Week 2.
Since taking over, DeBoer has already lost as many games to unranked teams (4) as Nick Saban did in 17 years leading the Tide. That has led to questions about the team’s toughness, effort, and mentality. Those questions will remain until performances like Week 1’s loss to Florida State stop, but for now, hearing Dewberry, a new face who was not in the program under Saban, say the right things is a start.