ESPN analysts dissect concerns with Alabama offensive line

Former Alabama quarterback, Greg McElroy ranked Alabama football’s offensive line as the fourth best in college football ahead of the 2025 season.

Fellow ESPN college football analyst and commentator, Cole Cubelic joined McElroy on a recent episode of “Always College Football” to discuss the Crimson Tide’s offensive line.

The pair agreed Alabama should have one of the best offensive lines in college football in 2025 and one of the best centers in the game in Parker Brailsford. However, both McElroy and Cubelic feel there are some areas of concern for the Tide upfront.

“Some people think this is the best group in the country,” McElroy said. “I’m not there yet. I think they lose their best player in Tyler Booker, and that’s not just along the offensive line. That’s their best player on the team last season. Having to replace him with Kam Dewberry will be incredibly difficult. But Dewberry has logged some solid reps at times at (Texas) A&M in years past.”

Cubelic feels Kadyn Proctor, who is expected to start at left tackle for the Tide, needs to make sure he is physically in a good place.

“A little bit worried about left tackle,” Cubelic said. “Kadyn Proctor has had a little bit of a weight issue. It needs to be down for him to be great, and this is the second consecutive spring that he won’t really go. Those are valuable reps that are going to be gone. Now, that could help your depth because they’re going to somebody else and if they need to fill that void, they’re going to be able to do that.”

Jaeden Roberts returns to the Tide after battling injuries during the 2024 season. Cubelic feels Roberts could be a significant factor on the Tide’s offensive line at right guard if he can stay healthy.

“Jaeden Roberts can absolutely be a road grader,” said Cubelic. “I mean, he can be an earth mover. Mentally needs to get on the same page, have an understanding of the playbook, where things are headed, where things are going and then obviously has to stay healthy.”

McElroy and Cubelic both feel there are multiple ifs surrounding Alabama’s offensive line.

“I think right tackle is an if.” McElroy said. “I think left guard is an if. I’m cautiously optimistic, though. You talk to folks down there, they feel they’re not losing sleep over their right tackle right now, which I think is a welcome sign from Alabama faithful from where they were a year ago.”

Alabama’s offensive line will have an opportunity to live up to some high expectations in the fall.