Alabama’s offensive line is heading into a youth movement in 2026 - and not just in the “next man up” sense. This is a full-on reload, with a group of rising sophomores and redshirt freshmen poised to take on major roles.
Unless Alabama dips back into the transfer portal, Kalen DeBoer and his staff are preparing to lean heavily on young talent up front. The good news?
That talent comes with serious upside.
Let’s take a closer look at three names to watch as the Crimson Tide’s offensive line begins a new chapter.
Michael Carroll: The Anchor of the Youth Movement
When you’re talking about young players with experience, Michael Carroll is the first name that comes up - and for good reason. He’s the lone returning starter from last season’s line, and he’s expected to be a cornerstone in 2026.
Carroll arrived in Tuscaloosa as part of the 2025 recruiting class and started the year behind Wilkin Formby at right tackle. But as the season progressed, so did Carroll.
He kept flashing in practice, especially when going up against Alabama’s top defensive players. That earned him more reps, and eventually, the starting job.
“He kept flashing in practice when he’d go against our defense and go against our top guys,” offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic said before the Rose Bowl. “When he got out there, he did it.
He did a nice job. He showed that he could play.
He showed the moment wasn’t too big.”
Sure, there were growing pains - that’s expected for a freshman in the SEC trenches - but by the end of the year, Carroll was holding his own and earning praise from both coaches and teammates. He capped off his debut season with freshman all-conference honors, a clear sign of his trajectory.
Now, the challenge shifts. Carroll will need to lead a young, largely unproven group while continuing to develop his own game. If he can build chemistry with a new set of starters and take another step forward, he could be on track to become one of the SEC’s premier linemen.
Jackson Lloyd: The Next Man Up at Tackle?
With Kadyn Proctor off to the NFL after three strong seasons, Alabama has a big hole to fill at tackle - and Jackson Lloyd might be the one to fill it.
Lloyd didn’t see a ton of action in 2025, playing in five games, but the potential is there. At 6-foot-7, 318 pounds, he’s got the frame, and according to DeBoer, he’s got the mindset too.
“So you got this big body,” DeBoer said when Lloyd signed. “Then you got this athlete and you’ve got a mindset.
I don’t know if there’s ever been a time where I haven’t talked to him - and I know there is - but where I haven’t either called him or he’s texted me and I texted back, ‘What are you doing?’ And it involves a workout that he just finished or that you’re heading to.”
That work ethic is what gives Lloyd a real shot to emerge. He was a four-star prospect and ranked as the No. 7 offensive tackle in the 2025 class by the 247Sports composite.
While he’s still in the development phase, Alabama may not have the luxury of waiting. With limited veteran depth, Lloyd could be thrust into a starting role - and if he’s ready, it could be a major boost for the Tide.
Ty Haywood: A Versatile Wild Card
Ty Haywood’s path to Alabama was anything but straightforward. A five-star recruit out of Texas, Haywood originally committed to the Crimson Tide, flipped to Michigan, and then returned to Tuscaloosa after a chaotic year in Ann Arbor.
After Michigan’s head coach Sherrone Moore was fired for cause following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, Haywood entered the transfer portal and landed back with Alabama. Now, the redshirt freshman is in position to make an impact.
At 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Haywood brings versatility to the table - he can line up at both guard and tackle. With Alabama losing all of its starting guards, there’s a real opportunity for him to step in on the interior. Even if he doesn’t win a starting job out of the gate, his ability to play multiple spots makes him a valuable depth piece.
But don’t be surprised if he pushes for more. If Haywood can turn potential into production, he could carve out a starting role and become a key part of this young offensive line.
What It All Means for Alabama
This isn’t the most experienced offensive line Alabama’s ever had - far from it. But it might end up being one of the most intriguing.
Carroll has already shown he can hold his own in the SEC. Lloyd has the tools and the drive.
Haywood has the kind of versatility that coaches love.
There will be growing pains. That’s part of the deal when you’re rolling with underclassmen in the trenches.
But there’s also a ton of upside. If this group can come together, Alabama could have something special brewing up front - not just for 2026, but for years to come.