Nick Saban updates OT battle, says Seth McLaughlin has the 'right stuff' center

Alabama is expected to return to form as one of the SEC’s premier offensive lines in 2023. The main players on the Tide’s offensive line this season will be Elijah Pritchett, Kadyn Proctor, Seth McLaughlin, Darrian Dalcourt and Tyler Booker, who all figure to be at the forefront of the improved Crimson Tide effort in the trenches.

Proctor and Pritchett will duke it out for one of the tackle spots — and it’s been a fierce battle between the two former standout recruits. Head coach Nick Saban revealed where the two stand in the race for the starting job.

“They’re both in competition,” Saban said of the two OTs post-practice. “I think both guys need to see a bit more consistency in terms of paying attention, doing things right, being able to pay attention when they’re tired, having the mental toughness and seeing it through. But I’m really liking the maturity of the offensive line and the leadership that we have at that position.

“It’s going to be pretty demanding for those guys to buy in and be able to play the way that they’re capable of. Nobody is underdeveloped, but as a starter there’s an expectation with that.”

McLaughlin will be slotted at center for the Crimson Tide this season. Dalcourt will be his backup while also occupying an offensive guard spot barring any unforeseen injuries or ailments.

“[McLaughlin] has done a really good job,” Saban said. “He has gotten bigger, he has gotten stronger — he has always had a tremendous attitude. I don’t think anybody is going to go wrong hiring him no matter what he’s doing. He’s got the right stuff.”

Saban will be looking for this group to be the ones to set a new standard for OL play in Tuscaloosa, just like the group that won the Joe Moore Award in 2020 as the nation’s most outstanding offensive line. To do that, Saban needed to create competition and so far, it’s working in his favor.

It’s not so much as a sense of urgency for Alabama as it is a kick in the right direction for the veterans on the OL. Saban knows what his group is capable of — he just needs to bring it out of them. Time will tell if that eventually pays off.

Alabama will put their offensive line to the test when their 2023 campaign kicks off on Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee State. Although, their first real test comes the following week when they host Quinn Ewers and the soon-to-be SEC-bound Texas Longhorns.