With seven practices remaining before the yearly A-Day spring finale scrimmage, the Alabama football programme hit the halfway point of spring practice on Tuesday. Under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, every aspect of the program—including the offensive line—is undergoing reform.
Tyler Booker, the clear head of Alabama’s offensive line, and Jaeden Roberts, his counterbalance at guard, are back for the spring season. While Kadyn Proctor, the freshman all-American, isn’t around to get used to the new system, the Crimson Tide have learned that he plans to transfer back to Alabama during the next window of opportunity.
Alabama’s offensive line returns two starters for the spring period in unquestioned leader Tyler Booker and his counterbalance at the opposite guard Jaeden Roberts. While the Crimson Tide got news that tackle Kadyn Proctor plans to transfer back to Alabama during the next available window, the Freshman All-American isn’t around learning the new system.
On top of losing center Seth McLaughlin to the transfer portal and tackle JC Latham to the draft, the room transitions to a new voice in Chris Kapilovic. The former Michigan State offensive line coach has his work cut out for him improving a unit that allowed 49 sacks in 2023, the ninth most in college football.
A major step toward improvement will be identifying your best five linemen for the upcoming season. For that, attention goes to ongoing competitions at tackle and center.
Will Elijah Pritchett take advantage of the Proctor’s absence and take a head start for the left tackle position, or will he find himself considering a switch to the right side when the Iowa product returns and end up in a competition with Miles McVay and Wilkin Formby for starting role?
“They’re right in the thick of it. Those kids are young, talented, hungry, well-coached. I think Kap is doing a phenomenal job,” said Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan on Tuesday. “He’s an excellent – he’s an expert offensive line coach and we’re lucky he’s our offensive line coach and he’s pouring into those kids have responded and I see improvement each and every day. Physicality, toughness, effort. I think we all recognize the importance of the offensive line in this league. We’re not where we need to be but those kids are improving. Kap is doing a great job and those kids are working their tails off each and every day.”
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