Kalen DeBoer shares latest update on Parker Brailsford at Alabama

Alabama offensive lineman Parker Brailsford has been absent during the team’s last three scrimmages and numerous practices. During an appearance on “The Next Round” podcast, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer provided an update on Brailsford’s future with the team.

“He’ll be back,” DeBoer said. “He’s going through workouts. He’s been working out with our strength staff. He’s back. He never left us. He’s just back with us. I know he wasn’t practicing. But, he’ll be full-go workouts this summer. It wasn’t ever really about wanting to leave or go somewhere. He was just working through some things specific to him.

“Again, it was not anything where he ever got in trouble. It’s nothing like that. He’s a great young man, a great football player. He played both center, and he actually started the last season at guard for us the first few games until some injuries happened. So, he’s very versatile.”

Before transferring to Alabama this offseason, Brailsford spent two seasons at Washington, where he made 15 appearances and 15 starts. He did not see any action during his freshman season. Brailsford started the first two games of the 2023 campaign at right guard and played the final 13 games at center.

Brailsford was a pivotal piece of Washington’s front five, which was given the Joe Moore Award this past season, an honor annually given to the best offensive line in the nation. Washington’s offensive line only allowed 12 sacks in 15 games in the 2023 campaign, the fifth-least in the country.

It isn’t a coincidence the Huskies averaged the second-most passing yards in the nation this past year. DeBoer will look to replicate Washington’s air-raid success in Tuscaloosa this season with Brailsford by his side again.

Although Parker Brailsford has not been on the field lately for the Crimson Tide, he’s still made quite the impression on his new teammates. Last week, Alabama starting left guard Tyler Booker revealed how he is supporting Brailsford while he works his way back on the gridiron.

“I love that guy,” Booker said. “That’s my brother. Just being able to be there for him in a time like this is very crucial. I told him whatever he needs, I’m there for him. He’s a brother now. He’s part of this Alabama brotherhood. I’ll treat him as such.”

When he returns, Brailsford will compete with James Brockermeyer for the starting center job. Alabama finished its spring practice last weekend. Now, Brailsford will look to make his comeback in the summer.