Saban details Tyler Booker's importance to Alabama offensive line

Alabama head coach Nick Saban sounded optimistic that left guard Tyler Booker will return to the starting lineup this week after missing Saturday’s South Florida game due to back spasms.

On Wednesday, Saban said Booker is practicing with no issues but maintained the sophomore is still day-to-day. But during his weekly radio show Thursday evening, Saban was asked about the offensive lineman and the importance of getting him back for the Ole Miss game.

Saban provided a glowing review of Booker, who is only in Year 2 with the Crimson Tide.

“First of all, he’s the leader of the group,” Saban said. “The guy’s a tremendous competitor, he’s a really good player and he’s very smart. He really can help the people around him play better because he’s a communicator.

“A lot of guys that play don’t really know how to play and communicate at the same time. In other words, they won’t make calls and they don’t realize the importance of everybody being on the same page. He does a really good job of that.”

Booker saw playing time as a freshman last year, rotating at both guard positions with starters Javion Cohen and Emil Ekiyor. He stepped in at left guard with the ones in the Sugar Bowl but played right guard in the spring, summer and early portions of the preseason. However, Booker switched back to left guard when freshman Kadyn Proctor made a move at left tackle.

When Booker was forced to miss the USF game this past weekend, Proctor struggled.

“We knew we were going to have an inexperienced left tackle, regardless of which guy played – and both guys have a really good ability and I have confidence that they’ll develop nicely,” Saban said. “But we put (Booker) there so he could help the left tackle by making calls and good communication.

“So when he didn’t play last week, that didn’t that didn’t help that position either. So that’s a cumulative effect. Sometimes when you lose a guy that’s a leader and a vocal guy, it does impact the entire group.”

Booker’s likely return comes at an ideal time with Alabama set to host Ole Miss in its conference opener on Saturday, Sept. 23. The Rebels have recorded 10 sacks through three games, which ranks 15th nationally, and 24 tackles for loss. On his Thursday radio show, Saban spoke highly of Ole Miss’ defensive front while expressing the need for better pass protection.

“They’re pretty athletic at defensive end,” Saban said. “They’re pretty athletic up front. They do a good job of pass rushing, and they do a good job of having some simulated pressures. Simulated pressures mean somebody’s rushing that’s not supposed to rush and somebody’s dropping that’s supposed to be rushing. 

“So it challenges your protection a little bit, but you’re still playing defense with seven guys in the back. They do a pretty good job of that. Pete (Golding)’s got them playing well. They’ve got a sound system. They’re solid. The kids believe in it, they’re playing hard. It’s gonna be a challenge for us.

“But we have to protect the quarterback better, there’s no doubt about that. I mean, we’ve just been giving up too much pressure. There’s too much push in the pocket. We’ve got to get the ball out on time, so it’s important for the quarterback to execute. But at the same time, we’ve got to have time to operate, as well.”

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