At the SEC Media Days earlier this month, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer made a rather definitive statement concerning the offensive line.
“The offensive line is where it really starts. Really six guys that are strongly in the rotation with a lot of others that are up-and-coming, developing quickly, that I can see competing for spots as the season goes along as well.”
With three returning starters who are unlikely to be unseated during fall camp, that leaves two other positions to fill. According
that statement, one of those two is filled and the other is a position battle among two players. It seems pretty clear who those candidates are. But there is no time for complacency. Offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, now in his second season at the Capstone, has plenty of offensive line talent on this roster who will push for playing time.
DEPARTED
STARTERS
- LG Tyler Booker - No. 12 overall pick of the Dallas Cowboys.
- RT Elijah Pritchett - Transferred to Nebraska, projected starting left tackle.
RESERVES
- Naquil Betrand - Came in from Texas A&M and did not even make it through September. Transferred to Syracuse and looking like back-up LT.
- Miles McVay - Buried in the depth chart at Bama, he is now at UNC as the projected back-up LT.
RETURNING
FULL-TIME STARTERS
- #74 - LT Kadyn Proctor (Jr. 6’ 7’’/366, 24 career starts) - From the day this Iowa native gave his pledge to sign with the Crimson Tide, he was tabbed as a future great in a long line of Alabama offensive line greats. Now in his third season at the Capstone, the pressure is on for him to have that All-American season followed by having his name called on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft as some are projecting for him. His ginormous size and talent has always been there, but he always seemed kind of young and raw. A guy cannot get by on just power. He will need to hone his technique especially in one-on-one situations to become the elite blocker that he has potential to be. One knock is that on occasion he tends to not put in full effort. He only gave up three sacks a season ago. However on those plays, he didn’t look like he got beat. It was more being a little “sluggish” on certain plays. That kind of effort also causes him grab outside his frame at edge rushers when feeling threatened, which can lead to him being flagged for holding calls. That said, those instances are few and far between. Proctor has potential to have an outstanding year of clamping down the left side and propel this Tide team to great things.
Big J.. Breaking records squatting 900lbs at Bama! Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready! Roll Tide yall! @jaeden_kings @DJTheWarrior76 pic.twitter.com/yrAw0l1jkS
— Twanisha_❤️Mom (@riley_twanisha) July 21, 2025
- 77 - RG Jaeden Roberts (R-Sr., 6’ 5’’/327, 22 career starts) - As one of the most experienced linemen on the roster, this Texan will be tasked with anchoring the right side of the line as well as mentoring the new starter to his right. It is pretty evident that he has really dedicated himself to getting stronger. Here is hoping that he is working on his quickness as well. Roberts can absolutely maul defenders in run game blocking but has some limitations in space and in lateral movement. The Kalen DeBoer-Ryan Grubb offense relies heavily on getting to the second level. The ability to get a large body moving is an asset. If Roberts can improve his agility, the sky is the limit.
- #72 - Parker Brailsford (R-Jr., 6’ 2’’/290, 15 starts at UW, 13 for the Tide) DeBoer brought Brailsford with him from Washington and instantly had a No. 1 center. Perhaps one of the most underappreciated linemen in the nation, Brailsford recorded 63 knockdown blocks and allowed just half a sack on the year. It seems some analyses want to discount him because of his size. However, he is about the same size as overexposed former Philadelphia Eagle All=Pro Jason Kelce and the Dolphins’ starting center Aaron Brewer. Admittedly, being underweight can be an issue when going one-on-one with monster nose tackles of the SEC. One thing he cannot do anything about is arm length. Despite those deficiencies, he is a smart player who is good at identifying stunts and late blitzers. He has excellent instincts and excels in zone-blocking.
RESERVES WITH STARTS
- #56 - Geno VanDeMark (R-Sr., 6’ 5’’/326, 8 starts with Sparty, 2 with Bama) VanDeMark transferred from Michigan State before last season and played a critical role as the number one off the bench to relieve interior linemen. He recorded one start at left guard and one at right guard while also taking snaps as the back-up center. Although a non-starter, he certainly has plenty of experience. VDM played 37 snaps off the bench at Tennessee, 32 against LSU, and 45 versus Auburn. He is in the mix to fill the big shoes of Booker at left guard.
Remember the USF game? Lots of “fans” left the redshirt freshman Wilkin Formby out in the cold? Look at him now. His future is so bright what a block here and he’s so fired up!!! pic.twitter.com/jiIVerysxd
— Im a writer (@JayJDONDA) November 10, 2024
- #75 - Wilkin Formby (R-So., 6’ 7’’ 324, 2 starts RT) - It’s deja vu all over again. This time a year ago, it appeared that the Tuscaloosa redshirt freshman would would be the man at right tackle. He started the first two games against Western Kentucky and USF but struggled against the Bulls when he allowed five pressures, a sack, and had four holding penalties. Elijah Pritchett took over as the starter but Formby continued to get snaps through out the year. Near the end of the season, Pritchett was showing signs of checking out. Formby played 45 snaps against Mercer and showed such a marked improvement that he joined a rotation with Pritchett over the last two games against Auburn (37 snaps) and Michigan (44 snaps). Over those final three games, he did not allow any sacks or quarterback hits, and just as importantly did not commit any penalties. The staff was also impressed with his work during spring camp and if you believe DeBoer’s quote at the top of this post, it looks like Formby is locked into the right tackle spot when the Tide lines up against the Seminoles in Tallahassee. Frankly, it seems a bit presumptuous with fall camp having not even commenced.
OTHER RETURNING RESERVES
The below returning players are not likely to beat any of the above guys out for a starting role this fall. But it is a vital developmental year for each them to prove that they could fill the potential holes for the 2026 campaign. Roberts and VanDeMark are both in their final season of eligibility. Proctor is likely off to the NFL after the season and Brailsford might join him.
- #73 - Olaus Alinen (R-So., 6’ 6’’ 322) - Played in all 13 games in 2024, mostly special teams. He may be the first to enter a game at tackle as a substitute.
- #55 - Roq Montgomery (R-So., 6’ 3’’ 330) - Has played guard and center as well as being a regular on special teams. He could be the No. 2 center.
- #74 - Casey Poe (R-Fr., 6’4’’ 322) - Played in two games.
- #70 - William Sanders (R-Fr., 6’3’’ 308) - Two games.
- #69 - Joseph Ionata (R-Fr., 6’5’’ 306) - Two games.
NEWCOMERS
TRANSFERS
Texas A&M often could not get a yard when it needed it last season. This season? The Aggies are 15 of 16 on runs with two or fewer yards to go that are converted for a first down or TD.
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) September 19, 2024
An easy conversion here with six OL (including Kam Dewberry) and three TEs in the game. pic.twitter.com/8WtBT5Io2T
- #71 - OL Kam Dewberry (Sr. 6’4’’/332) - At Texas A&M, Dewberry started five games as a freshman and then three as a sophomore with 465 snaps. Although he did not start last year, he played 261 snaps, seeing action at left guard (160 snaps), right guard (85) and center (nine). He has been getting a great deal of positive talk about his performance as he battles with veteran VanDeMark for the starting job at left guard. Of Dewberry, CBS Sports columnist Matt Zenitz commented, “I’ve had multiple scouts bring him up unprompted. They could ultimately see him being someone who not only gets drafted next year, but could end up being a top-three round guy. That was not feedback that I was expecting to get on somebody who did not even start at Texas A&M last year.” Mike Elko’s misstep is Alabama’s gain.
- #76 - OL Arkel Anugwom (R-So. 6’ 6’’/328 (Antioch, TN) - This Ball State transfer is still relatively new to football having moved to Tennessee from Nigeria. He did not even have a 247sports profile for the 2023 class until the Cardinals signed him. He already has the size, but will be a project.
FROSH
Bama has four freshmen from the 2025 recruiting class.
- #64 - Michael Carroll (6’ 6’’/321, Doylestown, PA/IMG) - This 5-star is expected to be the next big thing. There is no reason to think that will not happen but it may be next season.
- #78 - Jackson Lloyd (6’ 7’’/318, Carmel, CA) - This high 4-star received an abundance of buzz during spring practice. Both he and Carroll could see a good amount of playing time this fall.
- #65 - Micah DeBose (6’ 5’’/319, Mobile, AL) - Good prospect but likely redshirt.
- #52 - Mal Waldrep (6’ 5’’ 324, Seale, AL) - Redshirt.
WAY TOO EARLY DEPTH CHART
The returning guys make this task a little easier on me this year. Thus, I will be bold and go a little deeper. VanDeMark is likely the first guy off the bench at any of the three interior line positions. The same goes for Alinen at tackle - at least for the first part of the season.
- LT - Proctor - Alinen - Carroll
- LG - Dewberry - VanDeMark - Sanders
- C - Brailsford - VanDeMark - Montgomery
- RG - Roberts - VanDeMark - Poe
- RT - Formby - Alinen - Lloyd - Anugwom
Share your depth chart in comments below.
More from rollbamaroll.com:
- A legend hangs them up — Tua Tagovailoa enters the 2020 NFL Draft
- Jumbo Package: Decision Day
- MONDAY UPDATE: Alabama Crimson Tide NFL Draft Junior Tracker
- Devonta Smith announces his return to Alabama in 2020
- Tua Tagovailoa and Nick Saban to hold press conference at 11am CT Monday
- Predictions: Will they stay or will they go?
- Watch: NFL analyst breaks down Rashaan Evans’ role in critical goal line stand vs. Patriots
