Ryan Grubb sees injured OL as 'opportunity' for young players in spring practice
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — As it is with a number of position groups on the Alabama team, the Crimson Tide offensive line is going to be limited this spring.
Returning starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor will be sporting a black non-contact jersey throughout spring, giving Alabama just two returning starters available over the next 13 practices — center Parker Brailsford and right guard Jaeden Roberts. There were already holes at left guard and right tackle entering the spring, following Tyler Booker declaring for the NFL Draft and Elijah Pritchett leaving via the transfer portal.
Proctor’s injury leaves more reps available than there were already going to be, something that new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb sees as an opportunity for younger players.
“Yeah, we got a couple guys out, for sure, which is just more reps and opportunity for young guys,” Grubb said. “Guys like Jackson Lloyd — guys like that getting in there and taking reps, I think is really important. So, we’re looking at it more from a standpoint that all of these guys that need to be developed are absolutely going to have an opportunity, and really, realistically, that’s what spring ball is for.”
Lloyd is one of three freshman offensive lineman practicing in the spring as early enrollees. He was one of two 5-star offensive line recruits in the class, alongside Michael Carroll, who Grubb was asked specifically about.
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“He’s got a long ways to go, got a lot ways to go,” Grubb said. “He’s a great kid. A lot of these guys, It’s tough, you ask me about AK (Dear) and Michael. I think they’re gonna be great players, it’s just so much for those guys right now. They’re drinking out of a fire hose. But they’ll get there. I thought Michael was one guy, I will say this, that I thought during Coach Ballou’s fourth quarter program, was a guy that continued to climb and accept the challenge of being out here and working hard. I hope that that translates to some good football this spring.”
The Crimson Tide’s first-team offensive line during the media viewing period of today’s practice featured even more new or inexperienced faces, including Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom, redshirt sophomore Olaus Alinen and redshirt freshman Casey Poe.
Grubb has an offensive line background, having been the offensive line coach at multiple different stops while working under Kalen DeBoer. Though he’ll be focused mostly with the quarterbacks as the Alabama offensive coordinator, he spoke highly of Crimson Tide offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic and their relationship.
“Yeah, it’s been great. Kap does a great job,” Grubb said. “I think sometimes when guys are — they don’t know how to take that when an OC has at least some background in offensive line, they’re gonna be infringing on them. But I think Kap does a great job of just being open and thinking about the things that can help the unit and my perspective on the offense that can potentially help him out. So, it’s been great.”
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