Alabama has found its new man in the trenches.
The Crimson Tide officially announced the hiring of Adrian Klemm as their new offensive line coach, stepping in for Chris Kapilovic, who held the position during the first two seasons under head coach Kalen DeBoer. This marks a key move for Alabama as it looks to reshape its offensive front - a unit that enters 2026 with more questions than answers, but also with a wave of fresh talent and potential.
“Adrian Klemm has a reputation for recruiting and developing players at every level,” DeBoer said in a statement. “He has a deep knowledge and passion for the game, and I know that he will be able to have an immediate impact on our program.”
Klemm, who had been linked to the job since late January, brings more than 15 years of coaching experience to Tuscaloosa. He’s coached at both the college and NFL levels, and he's known for his ability to mold raw talent into high-level performers. Now, he’s stepping into a situation that’s ripe for development - and in need of it.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful for this opportunity to join Coach DeBoer’s staff,” Klemm said. “The tradition, culture and championship standard in Tuscaloosa is second to none.
I’m excited to get to work with our players and this staff. Roll Tide!”
A Line in Transition
The Tide’s offensive line room is undergoing a serious overhaul. Only one starter returns from the 2025 season - right tackle Michael Carroll, a former five-star prospect out of IMG Academy who cracked the starting lineup midway through his freshman year.
Carroll logged 546 snaps across 14 games, per Pro Football Focus, and while he showed promise, he also experienced the growing pains that come with being thrown into the fire. He allowed four sacks and 15 pressures, with nearly half of those coming in the high-stakes matchups against Georgia in the SEC Championship and Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff.
Beyond Carroll, the only other lineman with more than 41 snaps last season is William Sanders, who saw 185 reps, mostly at left guard. That’s the extent of the returning experience - meaning Klemm has a blank canvas, but also a steep hill to climb.
Portal Power: Plug-and-Play Potential
To help stabilize the unit, Alabama turned to the transfer portal in a big way, bringing in six new offensive linemen. And while some are developmental pieces, two in particular look ready to contribute immediately.
Racin Delgatty, a two-year starter at center for Cal Poly, brings a wealth of experience and reliability. He played 1,302 snaps over two seasons and gave up just one sack - and that came in his final game. He also allowed just 14 total pressures, showing the kind of consistency that should translate well to SEC play.
Then there’s Jayvin James, a Mississippi State transfer who played 855 snaps last season, mostly at left tackle. He gave up 25 pressures and three sacks - two of those against Texas A&M - but his size, athleticism, and SEC experience make him a strong candidate to slide into a starting role from day one.
Building for the Long Haul
What makes this group intriguing isn’t just the immediate help - it’s the runway they bring with them. Delgatty and James each have two years of eligibility left. So does Ethan Fields, an Ole Miss transfer who has seen limited action (86 snaps across three seasons) but adds depth and competition.
Nick Brooks, a former Texas lineman who played 221 snaps as a true freshman, has three years remaining. And Michigan transfers Kaden Strayhorn and Ty Haywood, both redshirt freshmen, arrive with four full seasons of eligibility.
Add that to the three years remaining for Carroll, Sanders, and former four-star tackle Jackson Lloyd, and Klemm’s not just inheriting a group - he’s stepping into a long-term project with real upside.
What’s Next?
There’s no sugarcoating it - this is a rebuild. But it’s also a rebuild with some serious tools in the toolbox. Klemm has a mix of SEC-tested veterans, high-upside transfers, and young talent that could form the foundation of Alabama’s line for years to come.
The challenge now is cohesion. Can Klemm quickly identify his best five?
Can he mold them into a unit that can protect the quarterback and open up the run game in the SEC? Those answers will come in time, but for now, Alabama has its offensive line coach - and he’s got plenty to work with.