Kalen DeBoer addresses Alabama's rotation on offensive line, role for Kadyn Proctor

As Alabama readies for the 2024 season and sets its sights back on the College Football Playoff during coach Kalen DeBoer‘s first year in charge, offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor is looking to settle back in and play his part.

Proctor’s talent makes him a huge potential re-addition to the offensive line after a back-and-forth transfer from Alabama to Iowa and back to Alabama.

Naturally, he’s drawn plenty of interest from local media, so when Kadyn Proctor isn’t spotted in the starting lineup during the few windows the media has open at practice, it raises some questions.

DeBoer was available to answer them.

“Well we’re just rotating some guys,” the first-year head coach said. “So I know you guys aren’t seeing all the reps and everything. Just rotating, especially at tackle. The three interior guys have been pretty consistent with the ones, working (Elijah) Pritchett, (Wilkin) Formby and Proctor around.”

The goal is to help increase the playable depth the Crimson Tide can tap into during the season. The extra training also helps build different sets of chemistry, so if someone has to exit during the course of the season there’s already some familiarity with whoever steps in.

DeBoer was adamant that Kadyn Proctor will get his chances.

“Again, you just saw the lineup maybe for a couple snaps while we’re going through drill work, but they’ve all been getting their chance and all continue to get better,” DeBoer said. “We’ve got plenty of time here, but that chemistry for that unit’s going to be really critical.”

Alabama also rotating its quarterbacks

In addition to its rotation of Kadyn Proctor, the offensive tackles and some of the interior offensive linemen, Alabama has also been rotating its quarterbacks beyond starter Jalen Milroe.

DeBoer is pleased with what he’s seen.

“We’ve been rotating a lot of the other guys in with the twos,” Kalen DeBoer said. “They’re all getting three and four reps too, but Ty (Simpson) is pretty much taken twos, and then the other guys just take a couple reps away from him at different times.

“Again, I think just like Rich (Young) earlier, they’ve really taken that step over the summer, especially the guys that didn’t know the offense. Having more reps of it in the summer, more film, another round of install— they’re really now getting it figured out and know what we’re looking for.”

Alabama will open its season on Aug. 31 with a game against Western Kentucky.