sad news; Olaus Alinen announce his departure from Alabama after Sustaining Head Injury……

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Alabama’s starting offensive line has Joe Moore Award-winning potential.

Second-team All-SEC selection Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts are a punishing tandem at the guard spots, and they will be flanking Washington transfer Parker Brailsford at center. Brailsford already has a Joe Moore Award under his belt, and was named a first-team Freshman All-American during his time with the Huskies. In theory, this trio should make up one of the best interior offensive lines in the nation.

If Kadyn Proctor can continue the progression he showed last year, and follow the trajectory that will take him from the former no. 1 tackle in the country to a first-round NFL Draft pick, Alabama will be vastly improved at left tackle this season. Right tackle is still a question mark, but redshirt sophomore Elijah Pritchett is a former 5-star with enough playing experience to be the favorite to earn the position. Pritchett will have to improve against the speed rush (and stay out of trouble off the field) to be reliable here.

Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark gives Alabama some added depth, experience, and versatility on the interior line. In fact, he may be the first guy off the bench at all three interior positions.

With this seemingly established top six, the Alabama line has the talent to lead the way for a potent offensive attack. However, Bama will have to rely on unproven players if it needs to go deeper into the depth chart. While a true freshman or two could surprise and bully their way into the rotation, the Tide’s collection of redshirt freshmen are the most likely to be ready to contribute.

Alabama brought in a deep offensive line class in 2023, and several members of that class could play key roles this fall. Olaus Alinen and Wilkin Formby are former 4-stars and top-200 players who have good size at the tackle position. Either of these players could even push for a starting role if Pritchett falters. Formby is a Tuscaloosa native who grew up around the program while Alinen, who hails from Finland, likely had to undergo a cultural adjustment in his first season at Alabama.

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