Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Seth McLaughlin confirms identity for Alabama’s OL this season

Originally posted on Touchdown Alabama Magazine
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated 4/19/23

Tommy Rees, Eric Wolford, Seth McLaughlin, and Alabama’s offensive line have one goal.

Rees, Alabama’s new offensive coordinator, had fans excited when they saw his pinned tweet of a “

pic.twitter.com/e3qHMFj4JX

— Tommy Rees (@T_Rees11) November 6, 2022 ">Run the Damn Ball” hat on social media. Nick Saban has been preaching a return to toughness, and Rees has brought it over from Notre Dame throughout spring practice. Tyler Booker, a second-year player, told reporters Tuesday that Wolford — the Crimson Tide’s offensive line coach — is the ‘good kind of crazy.’ Wolford has a method to his madness of wanting the Tide to be nasty.

JC Latham, a veteran offensive lineman, opened spring practice by saying we want to be ‘ruthless.’

McLaughlin confirmed all reports of Alabama’s physicality in a recent airing of “Hey Coach.” The senior sported a “Run the Damn Ball” hat on set. Booker said McLaughlin has worn the hat since he’s known him, but that’s the mentality Alabama wants.

“We’re going to push you off the ball, we’re going to play through the whistle, we’re going to push the pile”

– @Seth_Mc24 discusses the identity of the O-Line under @FBCoachWolf #RollTide | @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/33ZyhqhG0Z

— Crimson Tide Sports Network (@UA_CTSN) April 18, 2023

“It starts with Coach Wolford and he gets us going every day,” McLaughlin said about the offensive line playing with more physicality. “We are trying to bring it back. I think we have had some times where we could see elements of it in the past, but we want that to be our identity. We are going to push you off the ball, we are going to play through the whistle, we are going to push the pile. That is what Coach Wolford is instilling in us, and we are making progress towards that.”

Alabama’s offense has been at its best when the offensive line sets a dominant tone.

If Alabama can maintain balance, sustain drives, be explosive, and wear down opponents, this offense should get back into the College Football Playoff and be a reason for the team winning a national championship.

This article first appeared on Touchdown Alabama Magazine and was syndicated with permission.

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