Aaron Taylor came away from Alabama’s offensive line practice on Monday convinced the Crimson Tide’s biggest upgrade is happening in the trenches.
The former NFL offensive lineman, who started at left guard for the Green Bay Packers when they won a Super Bowl in 1994, spent two hours watching Alabama work and left impressed enough to say the group looks completely transformed from last season.
“Now we all know the talk all offseason is about whether or not Kalen DeBoer can fill Nick Saban’s shoes or who’s going to start at quarterback,” Taylor said in a video posted to X. “Well, I’m here to tell you it’s going to be the offensive line that shuts up and ends all that talk.
Alabama will be able to run the football this year, full stop. That’s the headline.
The improvements year over year for what I saw in this unit after just watching them live for 2 hours with my own eyes is night and day. When they got to the second level, they didn’t just go up and try to settle into the linebacker.
They were running through those boys. When it came to one-on-ones, they dominated that drill all across the board through the 2-deep offensive line, using their hands, punching, trusting their technique, and starting the fight.”
That’s a strong endorsement for a unit Alabama has had to rebuild from the ground up. The Crimson Tide are projected to start four offensive linemen this fall who have never started for Alabama.
Fans will get their first look at the 2026 version of Alabama on Sept. 5 against East Carolina.
In Other News...
Alabama Has Four Starting Jobs Riding On One Final Scrimmage
Alabama is heading into the third week of fall camp with one last scrimmage left before the staff starts locking in its season-opening two-deep. Even with camp well underway, there is still plenty left to sort through, and the biggest questions are spread across the lineup, with spots open at quarterback, offensive guard, offensive tackle and linebacker as the Tide continue to evaluate the group.
A few players have started to separate themselves, but the coaching staff is waiting on the final live look before making the calls that matter. Keelon Russell and Austin Mack remain part of the quarterback race, while Will Sanders, Mal Waldrep, Nick Brooks, Jayvin James, QB Reese and Luke Metz are all still involved in the other major battles, leaving Alabama with several important decisions hanging on one more scrimmage. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas New Center Is Suddenly Key To A Big Offensive Reset
Alabamas offensive line has a new face in the middle after bringing in center Racin Delgatty from Cal-Poly through the transfer portal, a move aimed at helping fill the void left by Parker Brailsfords decision to enter the NFL Draft. Delgatty arrives as a senior and has already drawn attention inside the program for the way he has added weight and strength since joining the Crimson Tide, a sign that he is settling into a bigger role at the right time.
The timing matters because Alabama is looking for a reset up front, especially in the run game under new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm. Delgatty has spoken positively about the coaching staff and the nutrition program, and those early signs of buy-in matter for a team hoping to get more consistent physicality at the point of attack. The questions now are less about whether he fits the environment and more about how quickly he can translate that progress into production for an offense that wants to lean on its line again. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Quarterback Battle Is Nearing The Call That Shapes This Offense
The quarterback competition at Alabama is moving toward a decision at exactly the sort of point where a choice starts to define an offense. Keelon Russell and Austin Mack have spent camp as the leading candidates, and with the season opener against East Carolina set for Sept. 5, the staff is no longer talking about a distant evaluation. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has made it clear the call is close, which only adds to the sense that this battle is reaching its final stage.
Kalen DeBoer has also pointed to progress from both quarterbacks during scrimmage work, a reminder that this is not just about sorting talent but about choosing the right fit for what Alabama wants to be this fall. The difference between the two is still the most important unanswered question in camp, and the answer will shape how the Crimson Tide build around their starter once game week arrives. [Read more 🡒]