Alabama Football still has holes to fill on the offensive line
With the addition of Washington transfer offensive lineman Parker Brailsford, Alabama Football filled what was one of the biggest holes on its roster.
Brailsford started much of the 2023 season at center for Kalen DeBoer’s Huskies, and was very effective in that role. Conversely, Bama had issues throughout the year with quarterback-center exchanges. After Seth McLaughlin’s transfer to Ohio State and TJ Ferguson’s transfer to Florida State, the Tide was left thin at the center position.
Alabama Football brings back redshirt junior James Brockermeyer, who has been in the program for three seasons but seen minimal playing time. Brailsford will have advantages such as game experience and familiarity with the coaching staff, but Brockermeyer will fight for the starting role in 2024.
The addition of a proven center is massive for Alabama, but the Crimson Tide still has some questions to answer along the offensive line, particularly at the tackle positions.
The road-grading tandem of Jaeden Roberts and Tyler Booker will return at the guard positions, giving the Tide a good interior foundation. Assuming both stay at their respective positions, Bama will need to find a new pair of starting tackles. Right tackle JC Latham declared for the NFL Draft following the 2023 season, while left tackle Kadyn Proctor transferred back home to Iowa.
Redshirt sophomore Elijah Pritchett figures to return after seeing some meaningful playing time in 2023. He may have a leg up on taking one of the starting tackle positions, but the job is far from cemented. Pritchett will have to show substantial improvement to be a reliable SEC tackle on a full-time basis.
Beyond him, Bama has a lot of young and unproven talent. Wilkin Formby, Olaus Alinen, and Miles McVay are all second-year players who could make a jump, as is Texas A&M transfer Naquil Betrand.
Will two trustworthy starting offensive tackles emerge from this group? If not, Coach DeBoer may have to dip back into the transfer portal.