Here’s how Alabama football’s offensive line shapes up heading into fall camp

Between Parker Brailsford, Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts, Alabama football 's offensive line has an argument to possibly be one of the best in the nation come this fall.

Alongside that trio, the Crimson Tide also return left tackle Kadyn Proctor, who transferred to his native of Iowa following the retirement of coach Nick Saban before transferring back to Alabama in the spring. Elijah Pritchett is also another returning member for the Crimson Tide's offensive line this season.

Alabama loses five members from its offensive line unit in 2023: JC Latham (NFL Draft), Darrian Dalcourt (out of eligibility), Terrence Ferguson (transfer to Florida State), Seth McLaughlin (transfer to Ohio State) and James Brockermeyer (transfer to TCU). From the transfer portal, Alabama gained Brailsford from Washington and Naquil Betrand from Texas A&M, while welcoming three true freshmen to the Capstone.

Alabama's offensive line will be under the authority of offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. Kapilovic comes to Tuscaloosa after spending three months as the offensive line coach at Baylor while Sheridan comes with DeBoer from Washington.

Here is how Alabama's offensive line looks heading into fall camp. Every scholarship player and notable walk-on is mentioned:

The options for Alabama football along the offensive line

Projected starters: LT: Kadyn Proctor, so.; LG: Tyler Booker, jr.; C: Parker Brailsford, r-so.; RG: Jaeden Robers, r-jr.; RT: Elijah Pritchett, r-so.

Reserves: Wilkin Formby, r-fr.; Olaus Alinen, r-fr.; Roq Montgomery, r-fr.; Miles McVay, r-fr.; Geno VanDerMark, r-jr.; Naquil Bertrand, r-fr.; Casey Poe, fr.; Joseph Ionata, fr.; William Sanders, fr.

Proctor came to Alabama last fall as the top offensive tackle prospect in the recruiting cycle. He earned the starting spot during fall camp, maintaining it through the season. Proctor saw action across 743 snaps with 20 knockdown blocks. He saw some struggles during his freshman season and struggled with injuries, but improved as the season went on.

Booker earned the starting job last fall, finishing the season with 41 knockdown blocks and only allowed 2.5 sacks and 4.5 pressures across his 676 snaps played. He was also named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, which recognizes the top interior lineman within the nation.

Brailsford spent the last two seasons at Washington, playing in all 15 games in 2023 — starting two at right guard and 13 at center — finishing the season with an 80.7 run-blocking grade.

Roberts played in 11 games for Alabama last fall with eight starts while Pritchett appeared in all of the Crimson Tide's games in 2023.

The upside

Under DeBoer, Washington's offensive line was awarded the Joe Moore Award in 2023, which is awarded to the top offensive line unit within the nation.

Part of that offensive line unit was made up of Brailsford, who also named to the All-Pac-12 second team in 2023 and was recognized on the freshman All-American team by five different media outlets.

Pair that with Booker, who earned first-team All-SEC honors, along with Alabama's other returnees and its young talent, and that makes for a promising offensive line unit for Alabama as the team enters fall camp.

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One question or concern

When comparing DeBoer's offensive line at Washington compared to that of Alabama's last year, the two both employed similar mixes of gap and zone-scheme blocking in terms of the running game.

However, the offense at Washington demanded more athleticism from its lineman in regard to pulling, blocking in space and reaching linebackers. Washington's starting offensive lineman average 305-pounds last season compared to that of Alabama's, which averaged 338-pounds and was the biggest in the SEC.

Between snapping issues, which reared their head in the ugliest way in the Rose Bowl last season, and protecting quarterback Jalen Milroe, Alabama's offensive line often saw itself struggling at times in 2023. However, under Kapliovic, it is a problem the Crimson Tide can hopefully avoid this season, with Kapliovic telling the media in March that he makes sure he has a high number of offensive linemen getting snapping experience year-round.

"I said from this point forward, I’ll have 8-10 guys snapping because it’s a skill," Kapliovic said in March. "... I don’t have to reflect on last year, but nobody notices a snap until it’s bad. It’s important you have guys who can do it."

Breakout candidate

Brailsford could just be the piece Alabama was missing on its offensive line last season.

The 6-foot-2, 275-pound Brailsford already has a year of playing for DeBoer under his belt apart of one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Last season, he protected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to throw for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns and allowed just one sack on Penix in 15 games.

Brailsford also finished last season as the second-most valuable center in the country per PFF. That makes for a good addition for the Crimson Tide offensive line in a position where they need it following the transfer of McLaughlin.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Here’s how Alabama football’s offensive line shapes up heading into fall camp