Scrimmages are tough for coaches to evaluate. A great day for the offense means the defense was a step behind or vice versa. Kalen DeBoer was in that spot with Alabama football on Thursday.
Throwing in the lore of Bryant-Denny Stadium and the challenges of a new offense and defense for players to learn, it went well. Quarterbacks made good decisions. The energy was there. Yet, DeBoer paused when asked about one area: How did the pass protection go?
“I think that was one area, and I think it’s the matchup, right? I think we have a strength there on our defense with probably the one area where we could’ve been a little bit better offensively. I think defensively I looked at it and we had a strong pass rush. Offensively, I think we had a great run game. Those areas, both sides of the ball did a really good job so I can’t say it’s a weakness at this point, but it’s something we want to continue to work on.”
While that’s a good sign for UA’s “bandits” and “wolves” or defensive ends and edge linebackers, it doesn’t bode well for the inexperienced offensive tackle candidates and dual contenders at center. Reporters weren’t allowed to view the scrimmage and didn’t receive stats.
Alabama’s first-team defense was likely led by Keanu Koht and Quandarrius Robinson at the edge positions and Jah-Marien Latham, Tim Keenan III and Tim Smith inside. At tackles, Alabama is going with Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby. Parker Brailsford and James Brockermeyer are battling at center. Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts are the lone returning starters at the guard spots.
A clear experience gap on paper may be playing out compared to the experience at other positions on the offense. While more reps and spring practices can change that, the return of a former freshman tackle could answer a major question. But for now, Alabama stressed competition this week, and nowhere is that clearer than on the offensive line.
“Those kids are young, talented, hungry, well coached. I think (Chris) Kap(ilovic) is doing a phenomenal job. He’s an excellent – he’s an expert offensive line coach and we’re lucky he’s our offensive line coach and he’s pouring into those kids,” offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said earlier this week. “They have responded and I see improvement each and every day. Physicality, toughness, effort. I think we all recognize the importance of the offensive line in this league. We’re not where we need to be but those kids are improving. … We’re promoting competition.”
Luckily for Alabama, a solution could be on the way in a familiar face. Kadyn Proctor, an All-Southeastern Conference freshman honoree at left tackle, announced a return to the Crimson Tide after a stint with home-state Iowa last week. The earliest he can transfer in is April 15, when the post-spring period of the transfer portal re-opens.
He would slot in to protect Jalen Milroe’s blind spot, a position in 2023. Proctor even gutted out a Rose Bowl appearance with a torn ligament in his ankle. But for now, UA looks to build off their first scrimmage with its current roster and options on the offensive line.
“I love the lessons that come from a scrimmage like this where the guys are playing hard, it’s pretty clean, not really very many missed assignments. To me, that’s what I look at it. If we can teach off the tape and talk about timing and execution and not just, ‘Hey, this is the route you’re supposed to run.’ Or, ‘Hey, this is the coverage we’re supposed to be in,’” DeBoer said. “The guys were in the spots and now we can really continue to teach technique and continue to build a trust that it takes to be elite both on offense and defense.”
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