Tyler Booker identifies where he wants to grow the most during second year at Alabama

Tyler Booker came to Tuscaloosa with a ton of hype, and the Alabama offensive lineman is looking to deliver in 2023.

Booker, a former five-star recruit out of IMG Academy (FL) who was the No. 30 overall recruit in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, had big dreams when he committed to the Crimson Tide. After getting his freshman season under his belt, he’s ready to learn, grow and move forward.

Speaking with the media as spring practices rage on, Booker explained where he wants to grow most during his second season at Alabama.

“Going into my sophomore season, I really want to improve my technique,” explained Booker. “Last year, I was just trying to get adjusted to the speed of the game, and how fast everybody moved. Now that I have that under my belt, now that I know how fast the game goes, I’m really zeroing in on my technique.

“So really hand-placement, making sure that I’m timing my punch. Also working on gains, because in the SEC you get a lot of twist gains from the linebackers up front, so really just honing in on my technique.”

Alas, one of the ways Booker plans to improve is by facing the best of the best, and that’s right here at Alabama. While some coaches have lobbied for spring games, which are usually glorified intra-squad scrimmages, to take on a new life against different, opposing squads, Booker believes he benefits more from facing his fellow Crimson Tide players.

“It’s interesting as a player. I saw that come about, but I think at the end of the day, me being in my situation, I feel like this is the best competition I’ll face all year,” Alabamaoffensive lineman Tyler Booker said.

One of the original proponents of teams playing against other teams this spring was Auburn‘s Hugh Freeze, as he threw out the hypothetical of Alabama and Auburn playing against the likes of in-state opponents like Troy or UAB. There are plenty of logistics that would have to get sorted out in such a move, like potential payouts for the lesser teams and where the games would be played.

But at least some feel like it could juice up the sport a bit during the sometimes dull offseason. It could also give coaches a more realistic idea where their teams stand.

“This month, I’m going to be so much better for it because I feel like we have the best players in the nation on both sides of the ball,” Booker added, not seeing the need to bring in another team. “In my situation I’d much rather have that A-Day game, because I know that I’m not going to get challenged any more than I will this Saturday.”

Alabama is one of a handful of teams that has yet to wrap up spring ball, but Tyler Booker and company will do so this weekend, as the Crimson Tide will host their annual A-Day Game at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The offensive lineman will be better for it afterwards.