After Alabama settled its quarterback battle with Keelon Russell named the starter on Saturday, attention moved straight to the offensive line, where two spots are still being sorted out. Right tackle and left guard are the only true competitions left, and both are trending toward a clearer picture as Week 1 gets closer.
At right tackle, Jayvin James has separated himself from Nick Brooks. Kalen DeBoer said James has handled most of the work there and is in position to open the season as the starter.
"Jayvin has takenmost the reps at right tackle," DeBoer said. "But Nick Brooks continues to do a really good job of pushing hard, and he's areally good football player, too. So, that competition will still always be there, but Jayvin has taken most of the reps there."
James brings a solid track record into the job. He started nine games at left tackle for Mississippi State last season and gave up just three sacks over 856 snaps. His path to this point has been unusual in the best way, starting at Akron as a three-star recruit before moving on to Starkville and becoming an SEC starter.
Brooks, meanwhile, is still very much in the mix as a depth piece and possible swing tackle. The sophomore started three games for Texas last season and arrived at Alabama as the No. 7 interior offensive lineman in the portal.
Under new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, Brooks has been working at tackle and looks like the first option to rotate in on either side if James or Jackson Lloyd needs a break. Even beyond this season, he seems to fit into Klemm’s bigger plan.
The more interesting fight is at left guard, where Mal Waldrep has surged ahead of William Sanders. Sanders, a Brookwood native, was expected to own the job after playing in all 15 games last season, but injuries slowed him through spring and the early part of fall camp. That opened the door for Waldrep, a sophomore from Seale, Ala., who had only appeared against Louisiana-Monroe and Eastern Illinois last season.
"Especially the first part of of camp because Will had to work into things with his modifications, Mal took most of the reps, if not all with the ones," DeBoer said. "Will's been able to work in there more. So, there is competition."
Waldrep has the edge right now and would be the probable Week 1 starter, but Sanders is making a push. The way things look, Waldrep could be the first man up to begin the season, with Sanders still having a real shot to take the job later on.
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The portal market could make this one worth watching, especially for a Miami team that may soon need help at the position if Darian Mensah departs. For Alabama, it is another reminder of how quickly quarterback rooms can change once a starter is named, and for Mack it could create a fascinating second act somewhere that offers a better runway to develop and play. [Read more 🡒]
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Bernard explained the decision on Cam Heywards podcast and pointed to the safety benefits of the cap as the reason for going that route. It is an eye-catching choice for a young receiver trying to establish himself, but it also fits a broader conversation around player protection and how some players are willing to embrace new equipment if they think it can help them stay on the field longer. [Read more 🡒]