Alabama will run into a familiar name on Kentucky’s offensive line next Saturday, and he’s not just passing through. Former Crimson Tide lineman Olaus Alinen is expected to start at left guard when the Wildcats host Alabama at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC in the SEC opener for both teams.
Alinen’s path to this matchup has been a long one. The Finland native didn’t move to the United States until he was 16, which made him a developmental project even after he arrived as a highly regarded recruit.
He spent three seasons at Alabama without breaking into the offensive rotation in a meaningful way, though he was a regular on special teams last season. With Alabama rotating multiple spots along the offensive line and then losing offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, a transfer was always a real possibility.
Now he’s at Kentucky, where he’s earned the starting job at left guard. He’s also part of a rebuilt Wildcats front that has only one starter back from last season. That much turnover can take time to settle, and Alabama’s defense - still loaded with talent - could make that process uncomfortable early.
There will be some familiar faces on both sides of the ball in this one. Alabama defensive linemen Devan Thompkins and Terrance Green are transfers themselves, so Alinen won’t be lining up against a roster full of strangers. Still, this is the first of several former Crimson Tide players set to face Alabama this fall.
When Alabama and Kentucky last met in 2023, Alinen was a redshirt freshman for the Tide. Alabama won that game 49-21 in Nick Saban’s final season.
Alinen has two years of NCAA eligibility left. After Kentucky, Alabama is scheduled to see more ex-Tide players later this season, including WR Isaiah Horton and OL Wilkin Formby at Texas A&M, DL Kelby Collins at South Carolina and WR Cole Adams at Vanderbilt.
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