Outside of quarterback, there's no position battle more under the microscope for Alabama football during spring practice than on the offensive line. And according to OC Ryan Grubb on Thursday, the most important position on the offensive line appears to have already been settled at the beginning of spring practice.
Alabama returns only one starter from a year ago up front in rising sophomore Michael Carroll. Through the Transfer Portal and the high school recruiting class, the Crimson Tide brought in 11 new bodies to the room and a new coach in Adrian Klemm.
Carroll is already penciled in as the starting right tackle. Most expect Cal Poly transfer Racin Delgatty to take over at center. The other three spots are up for grabs. Or so we thought.
According to Grubb, you can go ahead and call the battle at left tackle over, too.
Redshirt freshman Jackson Lloyd, a 4-star recruit in the 2025 recruiting class, will be the team's starting left tackle. Grubb was asked if there was competition, and responded under no uncertain terms:
"He's the left tackle," Grubb said.
Jackson Lloyd will be Alabama's starting left tackle in 2026
Lloyd came to Alabama with a lot of pedigree, but figured to face stiff competition in the spring. Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James and Texas transfer Nick Brooks both have SEC experience at the position, and Michigan transfer Ty Haywood had a similar high school pedigree as Lloyd.
It speaks to Lloyd's development in the two months since the 2025 season ended that he has already announced himself as the starter at the most important position on the offensive line.
Lloyd will be tasked with protecting the blindside for either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell this fall, either of whom will be a first-time starter regardless of how that competition shakes out.
It appeared that Alabama would have competition at four of the five spots on the offensive line this spring, but it appears that Carroll, Lloyd, and Delgatty have already spoken for three of the five spots.
That means that Kalen DeBoer, Grubb, and Klemm will be looking to identify the two starters at guard, and they've already got a massive jump start on figuring out the starters for the position group most in need of improvement for next season.