Alabama Football: Two position groups with something to prove

When Alabama Football takes the field for the 2024 season this fall, the entire team will have something to prove under first year coach Kalen DeBoer. Two units in particular, however, will have more questions to answer than any other. 

Quarterback

Redshirt junior quarterback Jalen Milroe developed into one of college football’s most promising young quarterbacks throughout the latter half of the 2023 season, but still faces as many critics as any other signal-caller in the sport. Milroe clearly has room to improve, but it’s very rare that a first-year starting QB doesn’t have things to work on. 

Jalen Milroe will not only be seeking to quiet doubters of his individual ability, but also those that proclaim that Alabama is incapable of winning a national championship with him at quarterback. 

Milroe’s progression during the 2023 season was rare and impressive. With a year as a starter under his belt, how much can he improve in a full offseason? His potential is near-limitless, and Jalen Milroe has the work ethic to reach that potential. 

Offensive Line

The Alabama offensive line has had issues in each of the last three seasons, and will be looking to re-assert itself as a dominant group in 2024. With starting guards Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts back to anchor the line, it should be strong on the interior. 

Bama will have a new starting center, likely either redshirt junior James Brockermeyer or Washington transfer Parker Brailsford, and will hopefully be upgrading at the position.

It will also field two new starting tackles. There is plenty of blue-chip talent on the roster, including redshirt sophomore Elijah Pritchett and redshirt freshman Wilkin Formby. However, there is no proven commodity at the tackle position, and Coach Kalen DeBoer will retain the right to look for a tackle in the transfer portal if necessary. 

This unit has gotten much of the blame for Alabama’s inability to win a national championship since 2020, and should go into this fall with a chip on its shoulder.