SEC Network analyst shares expectations for Alabama’s offensive line

The offensive line is one of the top position groups of interest for Alabama this offseason, and there are a number of questions up front before the Crimson Tide not only kicks off the 2023 season but opens preseason camp in a month. Earlier this week, BamaOnLine caught up with SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic for why Tyler Booker was his best guard in the conference this year, and today, we break down the rest of his expectations for UA’s offensive line.

Alabama’s best-case scenario at left tackle

The biggest remaining question mark for Alabama is who will play the left tackle position. In the spring, we saw redshirt freshman Elijah Pritchett receive most of the first-team reps there, but he didn’t lock down the job by the time the A-Day Game ended. The door is still open for a guy like true freshman Kadyn Proctor – or someone else – to still push for the starting role.

“I’m just gonna tell you based on what I’ve heard and the little bitty, bitty, bitty, bitty bit that I’ve seen – I don’t know how it’s not Kadyn Proctor at some point,” Cubelic said. “When that is, is it Week 2 against Texas? I don’t know. Is it Week 5? I’m not sure. But I do believe at some point in time, it’s gonna be his. The little bit that I’ve seen of him, how he operates, does not look like a freshman.

“He has a massive frame and moves extremely well, and technically, I feel like fundamentally, he’s way ahead of the curve as far as a lot of freshmen offensive linemen. He’s just a kid that you can tell has been doing it for a while and probably takes it pretty serious because a lot of these guys come in just thinking they can mow everybody down and push everybody around.

“The little bit that I’ve seen, and it’s a very, very small sample size, he doesn’t operate that way. But I’ve also talked to some guys that don’t bullshit me a lot that think very highly of him and think that he’ll be the guy at some point. And the fact that there’s any question mark right there right now tells me it’s gonna be his to take, and all he’s gotta do is get out there and be consistent and it’ll be his.”

Can Dalcourt find a season-long home at guard?

Darrian Dalcourt elected to return to Alabama for a fifth season, taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility. And in the spring, the Crimson Tide’s Game 1 center for each of the last two seasons spent most of his time working at left guard alongside Seth McLaughlin – while also repping at center. Can that be a permanent role for Dalcourt in his final year of college?

“I think it can,” Cubelic said. “I’m interested to see it because he doesn’t play super heavy, and he’s not a real wide body. Like physically, when people see him there, he’s gonna look different than what it’s been. He’s not (Deonte Brown) or Chance Warmack or any of those guys. He’s not built that way. He’s a little sleeker.

“But I always think it’s valuable when you can have two centers on the field at the same time. Just the knowledge that it brings, the wherewithal, the communication part of it. I think that’s extremely valuable. Let’s say he’s over on the left side. Seth wouldn’t have to do anything that direction – he’s gonna already know it. I think that part’s really valuable.

“And I still think he’s a really good player. He understands leverage. He’s got good pad level. He just hasn’t consistently been healthy to get a ton of snaps and go out and improve on a regular basis. He’s flipped a couple of line coaches. So I think Year 2 under, technically and fundamentally, the same offensive line coach is gonna be a big benefit for a lot of these guys and probably a big benefit for him.

“But I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a couple struggles early. To switch positions on a full-time basis is not easy, and the further out you go, the more islands you spend time on. Center hardly ever, guard a little bit more, tackle a lot more. So he’ll be by himself a little bit and kind of see how he holds up. But I would anticipate he’ll be fine out there.”

Will Latham take the next step at tackle in 2023?

JC Latham started all 13 games at right tackle last season, and the 6-foot-6, 335-pound junior is entering a pivotal year as a pro prospect. Can he follow in the footsteps of past offensive tackles at Alabama by not only being a top draft pick in April but be in the mix for All-America status and the Outland Trophy? Cubelic breaks down his expectations for the former 5-star recruit.

“I definitely think it’s possible,” Cubelic said. “There’s some people that talk about the last three games, he was the best tackle in the league and one of the best in the nation. I thought he played good ball, but I’m not putting him up there with what Jonah (Williams) and Jedrick (Wills) and some of those guys were doing. It was fine, it was solid, but it wasn’t like wow. But he’s got a great set of skills.

“He’s got a perfect tackle frame. He’s got good feet, long arms. He’s got a pretty good punch, but he misses on that punch some – and when he misses, he usually misses pretty bad. The recovery in pass pro is something I know he can improve upon. Consistency with hands I think he can improve upon. But he’s had an entire offseason and he’s got that many more snaps under his belt. So yeah, I do think he could take a big step.

“As far as some of the awards, I do think that there’s like a mini resurgence on tackles right now. I felt like the position was kind of down the last 2-3 years, especially in the SEC. I think it’s gonna be better in the league and maybe a little bit better nationally. He’s already got some of that preseason hype, which obviously is something you have to have to be mentioned for some of that stuff, but he’s got a chance to put together a pretty good year, too.”

Overall expectations for the Alabama O-line

The Crimson Tide welcomes back four linemen with starting experience in Booker, Dalcourt, Latham and McLaughlin while competition is still ongoing on the left side of the line. Having to replace some veteran pieces, Alabama still has a good mix of experience and to go along with promising young talent. But what can fans expect to see from the offensive line in 2023?

“I think this is a group that’s gonna be towards the top of the SEC,” Cubelic said. “I think they have a chance to be really good. You’ve got a ton of experience.

“And I don’t think Seth gets enough credit for how well he’s played when he’s been in. You can go back to (William) Vlachos, you look at Bradley (Bozeman), Seth is kind of in that mold where physically, not super imposing, not gonna be the most talented guy, but he just gets people blocked. He has a good feel for the position and good understanding of how to use the skill set that he does have to get people blocked.

“Having two centers on the field, I think mentally, will help that group a lot. And you’ve got a couple tone-setters on the right side that should be able to kind of get everybody going.

“I think this will be a much more user-friendly offense for the offensive line, as well. When they decide to run the ball, they’re gonna run the ball. Go put Notre Dame vs. Clemson on last year. They were in duo like 50 times, and they weren’t gonna get away from it because it was working.

“I think Tommy (Rees) will, if he sees something where he can allow that group to impose their will, he’s gonna let them do it, as opposed to, ‘Alright, quarterback. If you wanna keep pulling this, you just keep pulling it and throwing slants. No big deal.’ Or, ‘We’re gonna be gun 95 percent of the time.’

“I don’t think that’s what this offense is gonna be; therefore, it’s going to allow them to be able to grow, be able to get better and probably, honestly, just get a lot more excited about what they’re being asked to do.”

Alabama’s best-case scenario at left tackle

Can Dalcourt find a season-long home at guard?

Will Latham take the next step at tackle in 2023?

Overall expectations for the Alabama O-line

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