Alabama Overhauls Offensive Line in Push to Restore Physical Identity
With 11 new players and a new coach, Alabama seeks to rectify second-to-last SEC rushing finish and regain control at the line of scrimmage.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has identified the restoration of offensive physicality as the primary strategic priority for the 2026 season, a directive shaped by a blowout defeat to Indiana in the College Football Playoff. The loss exposed significant deficiencies in the Crimson Tide’s ability to control the line of scrimmage, prompting a comprehensive restructuring of the offensive unit ahead of the season opener against East Carolina on 5 September.
The urgency for change was underscored by Alabama’s performance last season, where the team finished second-to-last in the SEC in rushing yards per game. The program recorded just 42 rushing plays of at least 10 yards, its lowest total in more than a decade, reflecting an offense that leaned too heavily on quarterback Ty Simpson’s arm rather than imposing its will at the point of attack.
To address these structural weaknesses, DeBoer has overhauled the offensive line by adding 11 new players and hiring Adrian Klemm as the new offensive line coach. The unit has suffered significant departures, with offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor leaving as a first-round NFL Draft pick and centre Parker Brailsford selected in the fifth round, necessitating a reliance on player development and the transfer portal to fill the void.
The projected starting line features a younger, less experienced group, with redshirt freshman Jackson Lloyd at left tackle, sophomores William Sanders and Michael Carroll at guard, fourth-year junior Racin Delgatty at centre, and junior Jayvin James at right tackle. Michael Carroll is the lone returning starter from the previous season and is expected to slide inside after finishing the 2025 season at right tackle.
DeBoer emphasised that while nastiness cannot be taught, it can be emphasised through execution, footwork, and communication. The team aims to establish a dominant running game led by backs Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley, with AK Dear and true freshman EJ Crowell also in contention. The group faces immediate challenges against tough defensive fronts in Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida State, where establishing consistency in short-yardage situations will be critical for a first-year starting quarterback.
