One of the fiercest position battles of fall camp has been at left guard between junior Will Sanders and sophomore Mal Waldrep. An injury that lingered through the spring and summer put Sanders behind the eight-ball early, and Waldrep looked like the favorite to win the job throughout fall camp.
But Sanders put forth a serious charge over the last couple of weeks, and according to Ryan Grubb, he's won the job. That's an important distinction to make: Sanders won the job. Waldrep didn't lose it. The staff is confident in Waldrep's ability to play winning football up front, but Sanders has the potential to be a real difference-maker.
"We’re excited about both those guys," Grubb said. "Will, these last seven to eight days, has shown up to be not just a guy, but somebody we think can be a difference maker.”
Alabama views Will Sanders as a difference-maker on the offensive line
Sanders always seemed to be the favorite at left guard for 2026. He's a guy the staff really liked last season, and he saw some playing time as an extra offensive lineman in sub-packages as well as some snaps with the starting group.
Sanders was sidelined during spring practice, and that left the door open for Waldrep to make a push. He did just that, positioning himself to win the job. But Sanders turned up the heat over the last couple of weeks. It's a good problem for Kalen DeBoer and Grubb to have. Waldrep will be a quality backup that the staff trusts. He's likely to be the first interior offensive lineman off the bench, regardless of the position that needs to be replaced.
With Sanders winning the job, Alabama has four of the five spots firmly set heading into Saturday's season opener against East Carolina. From left to right, Jackson Lloyd, Sanders, Racin Delgatty, and Michael Carroll will make up four of the Crimson Tide's five offensive line spots.
The only battle remaining is at right tackle between transfers Jayvin James (Mississippi State) and Nick Brooks (Texas). James has gotten the majority of the reps recently, but Grubb noted that the Mississippi State transfer is still working his way into game shape, and that could lead to Brooks snagging the spot.
"Jayvin’s been taking the lion’s share of the one reps," Grubb said. "He’s still physically getting himself in game shape a little bit. He had a summer where he’s working through a lot of stuff, so could see potentially another guy there.”
All eyes will be on Alabama's offensive line on Saturday in Bryant-Denny. The performance up front will give Tide fans a better idea of how things are going to go this season than the play of new starting QB Keelon Russell.
There's optimism that the Crimson Tide will be significantly improved up front, but the proof will be in the pudding once to meets leather this weekend.
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