Kalen DeBoer explains why Alabama's offensive line was the most improved unit this spring

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer made his first appearance at Baumhower’s Victory Grille on Monday night for the Hey Coach radio show. And in true Hey Coach tradition, Peewee from Grand Bay, Alabama, was the first caller and wanted to talk about the offensive line.

DeBoer echoed the weekly caller’s emphasis on the importance of the big fellas up front.

“I think when your offensive line is the makeup of the right people – and I’m talking about character and things like that; work ethic, team-first guys, humility, all those characteristics along with talent – man, you’re setting yourself and your team up for a great opportunity,” DeBoer said. 

“And the reason is every single day, if you can protect your quarterback and you can function well in the run game, you’re giving yourself a chance to read the plays from a quarterback perspective and let those wide receivers work, which means also that the defensive guys are getting their work in, too. 

“If you’re on an offensive line and it’s a sack or a tackle for loss each and every play in practice, the rest of the team really isn’t getting that work in that they need to get better. And so it does all start up front. I think that especially that group, when you talk about a group that doesn’t get a lot of notoriety.

“They can certainly be the team-first guys that everyone else looks to and takes a lot of pride in and can learn from each and every day.”

Alabama was tasked with replacing three offensive line starters from last year’s team this spring as right tackle JC Latham declared for the NFL draft and center Seth McLaughlin and left tackle Kadyn Proctor entered the transfer portal. Proctor has since re-entered the portal and will return to Tuscaloosa – he was at the local restaurant for Monday night’s show.

The Crimson Tide welcomed back both of its starting guards, Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts, as well as six other linemen from its 2023 roster and brought in five newcomers, including two transfers in Naquil Betrand (Texas A&M) and Parker Brailsford (Washington).

After discussing the significance of a strong offensive line, DeBoer evaluated how the group of 13 scholarship players performed during Alabama’s 15 practices over the last two months.

“That group did a great job from Practice 1 to Practice 15,” DeBoer said. “I really haven’t thought through which group had the most improvement, but if I had to start somewhere, I’d go to them because of just how they seem to develop their overall game. You guys didn’t see it but in Scrimmage 1, they ran the ball well but they didn’t probably protect as well. 

“And you saw what we did in the final scrimmage, and there was some really solid pass protection, which allowed the quarterbacks to be able to work down the field, throw balls not just short and quick but also with some play action, got the run game going. So I thought they did a real nice job overall.

“Some moving parts in there, some guys played a couple of different spots and we gained some depth and flexibility with some of the positions they played.”

Joining DeBoer at the restaurant were three Alabama players, including offensive tackle Wilkin Formby, who capped the Crimson Tide’s spring drills as the first-team right tackle. He was asked by CTSN host Roger Hoover how good this Alabama offensive line can be.

“Very good, very successful,” Formby said. “I mean, we got a lot of guys on the inside coming back, and then we’re looking in the transfer portal at Kadyn Proctor. He’s a beast, too. So I think that it can be very successful. I think that if we have a big summer and do what we’re supposed to do in the offseason, we can be very successful.”

Jam Miller added, “They get better each and every day. This season is gonna be a great season for the offensive line, receiver, just everybody overall, and I can’t wait until that time comes.”

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