Kalen DeBoer provides update on Alabama OL Parker Brailsford
Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Alabama offensive lineman Parker Brailsford hasn’t been practicing with the team in recent days. That news led to a lot of speculation, most of which was probably unnecessary, as far as the Washington transfer’s long-term outlook with the team. But following Saturday’s second spring scrimmage, UA head coach Kalen Deboer offered an update on Brailsford.
“Parker is just going through non-football related things,” DeBoer said. “He’s gonna be with us. He’s working out with our strength staff, and done a great job there. He’s never done anything wrong. It’s nothing like that. He’s working hard, and he’s gonna be ready to go here sooner than later. Just taking it day-by-day.”
Even after he had already answered the question, DeBoer went back and reiterated his point before moving on to the next topic. “He’s gonna be here with us. It’s not a transfer thing, it’s nothing like that,” DeBoer said. “Just want to make sure I’m clear. It’s nothing on his end where he’s done anything wrong or anything like that.”
We’ve been hearing good things about James Brockermeyer throughout the spring, but both guys remain strong candidates to be the starter come the fall. Getting Brailsford back to continue that center battle will be critical for both players too, as offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic mentioned the importance of competition when speaking to the media last month.
“Great competition. We’re rotating guys,” Kapilovic told reporters earlier this spring when asked about Alabama’s centers. “Nothing’s better for your team than competition. When you’ve got another guy behind you that’s pushing you and can win that job, that raises the level of play for both of those guys. Brock’s an extremely intelligent kid. It’s amazing how he’s picked up this offense so quickly. Having Parker here, who’s been through the offense, also helps. But it’s been good to see those two guys compete.”
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After updating the media on Brailsford’s status, DeBoer was asked about what he’s seen from Brockermeyer this spring.
“He’s done a really good job,” DeBoer said of Brockermeyer. “He’s got a lot of opportunities to take a lot of snaps, and hanging in there. The communication has been clean. Those five guys have been up there — we had, like you said, Jaeden out for a couple snaps today — but he’s done a really good job. When those opportunities pop up, that’s what you need to do. He’s taken a lot of snaps here the last week, this past week, these last six or seven days. It’s great. Great opportunity for him.”
So it sounds like Brailsford could return at any point, and the concerns about him possibly transferring seem to have been overexaggerated.
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