Kalen DeBoer gives update on where Alabama’s offensive line stands after first scrimmage

Heading into the offseason, the offensive line was one of the biggest points of concern for the Crimson Tide. However, head coach Kalen DeBoer and the staff have completed almost an entire overhaul to ensure a much better performance for 2026.

If one thing was certain heading into the spring, it was that Michel Carroll would surely be one of the five starters on the line. While that stands true, fans got an answer to another piece of the puzzle when offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb confirmed a second starter: Jackson Lloyd at left tackle, opposite to that of Carroll, who usually plays right tackle.

But after Alabama’s first scrimmage of the spring on Friday, DeBoer spoke to the media and gave some updates on both of them.

“We’ve rotated Michael Carroll in there some,” DeBoer said regarding the guard position. “Michael is so diverse, you know, he can play guard and tackle, and it’s been great allowing him to see what he does best. But also get some guys some reps; we need tackles. You know, Mike’s going to be one of our three to four, three main tackles, no matter what. You know that.”

DeBoer also spoke on where things stand at left tackle, after Grubb said there was no competition with Lloyd being the starter.

“I think it’s always, you know, our program, going to be day-to-day,” DeBoer said. “He’s done a great job to deserve the notoriety, I guess, that’s been given to him. It’s happened because he, every single day, brings his best. That was last fall, that was this winter and spring. He’s become very strong, and he’s already an athletic kid, and going out there and doing some really good things.”

However, DeBoer made sure to let it be known that there’s not just competition for Lloyd, but for everybody else as well.

“But I think that’s the important thing, not just for him, but for all of our guys: as you’re the guy that’s taking most of the reps at a certain position, I don’t care if it’s o-line or wide receiver, you better not get comfortable,” DeBoer said. “You better keep the pedal down because the next guys are coming. That’s the neat thing with having so many new faces.”

The Crimson Tide brought in plenty of new faces over the offseason, acquiring Jayvin James, Racin Delgatty, Nick Brooks, Ty Haywood, Kayden Strayhorn and Ethan Field by way of the transfer portal.

The staff also went to work through the high school ranks, securing commitments from four-stars Bryson Cooley, Jared Doughty and Chris Booker, while also landing two three-stars in Bear Fretwell and Tyrell Miller.

DeBoer gave his take on what he’s seen from some of the new transfers as of yet.

“I think this week was a good week for him,” DeBoer said about Mississippi State transfer James. “Consistency. I think there’s areas, you know, he’s pretty solid, in pass [protection]. Can get better in the run game. Just getting used to our offensive style and things like that, I think, but has started to pick things up and been consistent. You know, that’s what you’re looking for right now.”

He also spoke on Strayhorn and Haywood, both of whom transferred in from Michigan over the offseason.

“We need them to continue making strides, because they don’t have a lot of snaps under their belt,” DeBoer said. “We are gonna need, and we’re counting on them to be in the mix and be competitive with those guys. They’ve still got work, they come and bring a great attitude, as I would expect it. They have that ability; you can see they have it in them. It’s what we look for. They’re past learning the system, but the timing and just being comfortable out there.”

DeBoer also mentioned how Cal Poly transfer Delgatty has been coming along nicely. He’s expected to start at center for the Tide. The guard positions are still, and will likely remain for a while, the biggest question about the offensive line.

“You guys know that Will Sanders isn’t in there right now. Obviously, he would be thrown into the mix with his experience and ability,” DeBoer said about the current situation at both guard positions. “Different guys, we have Nick Brooks. Ethan [Fields] has done a nice job coming along. I thought this week has been really a consistent step in the right direction for him. Mal [Waldrep] has been with the twos, rotated with the ones. At the end of the year, he had an injury. It’s good to see him really picking up every single day and getting more and more confidence each and every practice.”

With plenty of time left until the season actually begins, even the preseason, the Crimson Tide will have plenty of time to get the offensive line situation under control. But no matter what, Alabama will have a new, and hopefully improved, line to work with.