Through just five practices this spring, Kalen DeBoer may already be closing to identifying his starting offensive line for 2026, despite significant roster turnover - and a new coach - at the position.
And it comes as a result of a surprising position change.
Ryan Grubb practically identified three of Alabama's starting five offensive linemen as soon as spring practice opened. Everyone knew Michael Carroll at right tackle, the one returning starter from the end of last season. Grubb named Cal Poly transfer Racin Delgatty and redshirt freshman Jackson Lloyd as starters alongside Carroll.
But Carroll might not be Alabama's starting right tackle next season. Recruited as a guard, the former 5-star prospect could be shifting inside to right guard instead, meaning Alabama will have new starters at all five positions up front.
During spring practice No. 5 for Alabama on Tuesday, it was noted that Carroll shifted inside to guard while Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James, who started at left tackle for the Bulldogs last season, was running with the first team at right tackle.
Whether that will be the case long term or not remains to be seen, but DeBoer, Grubb, and new OL coach Adrian Klemm are going to work as many combinations as they can to try and find the best five for the Crimson Tide in 2026.
Michael Carroll's move to RG has Alabama close to a full starting group on the offensive line
If Carroll's move holds and James locks down the RT spot, Alabama would, in theory, have LT (Lloyd), C (Delgatty), RG (Carroll), and RT (James) already locked up just a third of the way through spring practice, with only the competition at left guard really ongoing. That's significant as Alabama looks to take a massive step forward with its offensive line next season.
Continuity will be key, and the starting group getting as many reps as possible next to one another will be pivotal before the season gets started in September.
At LG, with William Sanders missing the spring, Texas transfer Nick Brooks appears to currently be in the driver's seat, though he'll face competition from Sanders when he returns, third-year player Casey Poe, and Ole Miss transfer Ethan Fields, who can work at any of the interior spots.
Things are progressing much faster on the offensive line front in spring than anyone expected. It's hard to argue against that being a good thing.