Alabama football needs three new starting offensive linemen. Heading into the spring, eyes turned to the tackle position with transfer freshman Kadin Proctor and potential top NFL draft pick J.C. Latham, both of whom are no longer in Tuscaloosa. However, after several days of practice and media interviews, it became clear that there was competition for positions in the core of the squad.
New Tide offensive line coach Chris Kapilovich acknowledged Friday that it will be an open competition for center between senior James Brockermeyer and Washington transfer Parker Brailsford.
In a portion of the practice media released Wednesday, Brockermeyer was part of the starting unit and Brailsford practiced as a two-man unit. With a new offense that heavily features Karen DeBoer-like motion and power run concepts, this battle will be a key storyline in the spring leading up to A-Day.
Kapilovic, who was hired by UA on February 19 after Scott Huff followed Ryan Grubb to the Seattle Seahawks, explained what it would take to get the job: .
“It all starts with having leadership skills and communication skills and a high soccer IQ. You have to understand that plan. You have to be able to communicate well with the people next to you,” Kapilovic said. Ta. “You have to put your personnel in the right position and from there, obviously get the ball to the quarterback, get to the right spot and play at the right level. It's a cerebral mental position. And that's going to be a big part of it.”
But can they snap the ball? That will likely be a question for Alabama fans after last year's well-documented issues with Seth McLaughlin (now at Ohio State). Kapilovic said he learned a few years ago, after dealing with injuries, the importance of cross-training, meaning multiple players learning how to snap the ball. Alabama graphs and scores each snap, a practice that will likely continue into the fall.
Brailsford has the advantage of playing center on DeBoer's award-winning offensive line. Last season, the Huskies paved the way for an explosive offense with Michael Penix Jr., who won the Joe Moore Award (given to the nation's best offensive line). Brailsford is one of four players (Austin Mack, Jermie Bernard and Josh Cuevas) to join DeBoer from Washington. Brailsford, an Arizona native, was second-team All-Pac-12 in 2023 and a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
University of Alabama offensive lineman James Brockermeyer (58) flips a ball at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility on Friday, March 8, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics
Brockermeyer came to Tuscaloosa as a four-star recruit from All Saints (Texas) Episcopal Church. Like most offensive linemen heading to the SEC, it took a while for Brockermeyer to see the field. He redshirted in 2021, cracked his fist for two games in 2022, and became a regular on special teams last fall. Brockermeyer played in 28 offensive snaps last fall.
Tyler Booker said Brailsford is like a “second coach” on the field and helped explain the concept at an offensive line dinner hosted by Booker. For Bookermeyer, Booker values his experience. Kapilovic believed it was “crucial” to have two players pushing him in such a valuable position. There will likely be some minor battles at left tackle, with Elijah Pritchett playing alongside Booker, and right tackle, with Wilkin Formby next to Jaden Roberts.
“We all know how important that is, but we're still young and we lack a little bit of depth, so we're at a critical moment here right now. Really, development is very important. ,” Kapilovic said.
Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him NAlvarez@al.com.
