Alabama interior linemen getting tackle reps with Kadyn Proctor limited this spring

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer shared a lengthy injury report after the Crimson Tide’s first spring practice, and he included starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor.

Proctor is one of three players who will be limited in the Crimson Tide’s 15-practice slate.

The 6-foot-7, 360-pound tackle started 11 games at left tackle a year ago and has 20-plus starts under his belt in two years at Alabama. With him being limited to individual drills this spring, the Tide needs others to step up in his absence. The problem is tackle is one of the thinnest groups on Alabama’s roster, as only four scholarship players are true tackle types.

Outside of Proctor, the only other returning offensive tackle is Wilkin Formby, who is expected to push for the vacancy at right tackle. The Tide brought in freshman Jackson Lloyd and Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom, but it is also using some interior linemen this spring.

The only problem there is Alabama has to replace All-American left guard Tyler Booker, who just participated in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. While some guards will receive reps at tackle, DeBoer and company also want them to get the work inside.

“We’ve got to have some guys that can move out because we’re thin at that position, especially when you look at the experience at that position,” DeBoer said. “We have a couple guys we can move out. Olaus (Alinen) played a little bit of tackle, a couple snaps. But we want to make sure he can focus on guard, too. 

“So as we go through the spring, we just didn’t want to throw a bunch of freshmen out there with the ones or some younger guys. That was kind of one of the rotations we used in one of the team periods today, for example.”

Alinen, a redshirt sophomore, played in all 13 games last season, blocking on field goals and extra-point attempts for the Tide. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound lineman from Finland was the No. 12 overall offensive tackle in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. 

Alinen is one of 10 returning offensive linemen returning from last year’s Alabama team, but it also added six newcomers, including a talented 4-man freshman class. Lloyd was one of a pair of 5-star linemen who joined the program, along with the country’s No. 1 interior line prospect, Michael Carroll. Could the latter also see practice reps at tackle this spring?

“He took some reps there today,” DeBoer said. “Especially for a young guy, there’s a lot of, what I call, bullets flying. You don’t want to make it harder than it needs to be for him. But you try to keep him in the same position for multiple practices, but also that flexibility for a guy like Michael does exist. He does have that frame where he could play some tackle, but even though, down the road – end game – probably more of a guard. 

“But that’s what I love about some of the guys. They’re athletes. They are versatile. They can play, maybe not all five spots because that gets a little confusing, but they can play right side, left side. Right tackle, left tackle. Right guard, left guard. Interior guys, you try to get to learn center, as well.”

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