Which second-year offensive linemen can make a jump?

Alabama’s starting offensive line has Joe Moore Award-winning potential.

Second-team All-SEC selection Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts are a punishing tandem at the guard spots, and they will be flanking Washington transfer Parker Brailsford at center. Brailsford already has a Joe Moore Award under his belt, and was named a first-team Freshman All-American during his time with the Huskies. In theory, this trio should make up one of the best interior offensive lines in the nation. 

If Kadyn Proctor can continue the progression he showed last year, and follow the trajectory that will take him from the former no. 1 tackle in the country to a first-round NFL Draft pick, Alabama will be vastly improved at left tackle this season. Right tackle is still a question mark, but redshirt sophomore Elijah Pritchett is a former 5-star with enough playing experience to be the favorite to earn the position. Pritchett will have to improve against the speed rush (and stay out of trouble off the field) to be reliable here.  

Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark gives Alabama some added depth, experience, and versatility on the interior line. In fact, he may be the first guy off the bench at all three interior positions. 

With this seemingly established top six, the Alabama line has the talent to lead the way for a potent offensive attack. However, Bama will have to rely on unproven players if it needs to go deeper into the depth chart. While a true freshman or two could surprise and bully their way into the rotation, the Tide’s collection of redshirt freshmen are the most likely to be ready to contribute.

Alabama brought in a deep offensive line class in 2023, and several members of that class could play key roles this fall. Olaus Alinen and Wilkin Formby are former 4-stars and top-200 players who have good size at the tackle position. Either of these players could even push for a starting role if Pritchett falters. Formby is a Tuscaloosa native who grew up around the program while Alinen, who hails from Finland, likely had to undergo a cultural adjustment in his first season at Alabama. 

While they weren’t as highly ranked coming out of high school, Miles McVay and Roq Montgomery were also members of the 2023 class. McVay was a 4-star offensive tackle who could be in that right tackle conversation, while Montgomery was a 3-star who will look to find a role on the interior offensive line. Montgomery could provide depth at guard, and will add to his value if he shows he can play some center too.

Another second-year tackle candidate could be Texas A&M transfer Naquil Betrand. Betrand redshirted and didn’t play for the Aggies in 2023, but still managed to receive and accept an offer from Coach Saban. He will likely compete with Alinen, Formby, and McVay for that third tackle spot behind Proctor and Pritchett. 

Injuries are inevitable in college football. Especially with the postseason now elongated, it would be foolish to assume Alabama’s offensive line will go unscathed through the entire 2024 season. It is very likely that the Tide will need a redshirt freshman to play key snaps up front at some point this year, so it will be fascinating to see which member of this class emerges.