How Close Is Alabama To Finalizing Its Starting Offensive Line?

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After the biggest domino of Alabama's fall camp fell on Saturday with the announcement that Keelon Russell was the starting quarterback, focus shifted to the other position battles on the roster. There are two battles technically ongoing at the offensive line, at right tackle between Jayvin James and Nick Brooks, and at left guard between Mal Waldrep and William Sanders.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer made it clear that one "battle" is effectively over as James has emerged as the near-certain Week 1 starter.

"Jayvin has takenmost the reps at right tackle," DeBoer said. "But Nick Brooks continues to do a really good job of pushing hard, and he's areally good football player, too. So, that competition will still always be there, but Jayvin has taken most of the reps there."

James started nine games at left tackle for Mississippi State last season, allowing just three sacks across 856 snaps. A former three-star recruit, he started his career at Akron before transferring to Starkville, marking an impressive career arc going from the Mid-American Conference to starting in the SEC.

Brooks, a sophomore, started three games for Texas last season and was one of Alabama's bigger transfers as the No. 7 interior offensive lineman in the portal. He began working at tackle under new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, and will likely be the first tackle to rotate in on either side should James or Jackson Lloyd have to come off the field. Regardless of his usage this year, Brooks appears to be a key piece of Klemm's long-term vision.

Left guard has turned out to be the more intriguing of the two battles right now. Sanders, from nearby Brookwood, was expected to be the starter after appearing in all 15 games last season, but injuries kept him out for the spring and early part of fall camp and opened the door for Waldrep. The sophomore from Seale, Ala. has been one of the biggest surprises of camp after only seeing action against Louisiana-Monroe and Eastern Illinois last season.

"Especially the first part of of camp because Will had to work into things with his modifications, Mal took most of the reps, if not all with the ones," DeBoer said. "Will's been able to work in there more. So, there is competition."

Waldrep currently has the inside track, but it appears Sanders is closing fast. Even if Waldrep starts Week 1, which is probable at this point, there is a decent likelihood that Sanders supplants him later in the season.

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