Position Preview for the 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide: Offensive Line
Alabama enters the 2025 season with an offensive line that mixes returning All‑American starters with promising newcomers. Head coach Kalen DeBoer has emphasized continuity and physical toughness at SEC Media Days, naming the offensive line as the true foundation of the team. He specifically praised Kadyn Proctor, calling him a standout lineman and one of the most imposing blockers in the country. While Alabama lost key contributors to the NFL guard Tyler Booker declared early—the core of the line returns intact, and confidence remains high that this unit can anchor both the run and pass protection for 2025.
At left tackle, Kadyn Proctor, a towering junior at 6‑foot‑7 and over 360 pounds, is firmly entrenched as the starter. He earned Freshman All‑American honors in 2023 and was second‑team All‑SEC in 2024. Many analysts project him as a 2026 first‑round NFL draft prospect. Proctor is widely considered one of the most physically dominant tackles in college football—big, strong, and notably improved as a pass protector in his second year.
In the interior, Alabama has one of the most technically refined centers in the country. Parker Brailsford, a transfer from Washington, anchors the line with elite intelligence, quickness, and zone‑blocking skill. He started for Washington’s Joe Moore Award‑winning line and brought that level of performance to Alabama in 2024. Despite being undersized, he uses leverage and anticipation to neutralize larger defenders, earning comparisons to top NFL center talents. Brailsford is projected as a preseason All‑American candidate and a key leader in the lineup.
On the right side, Jaeden Roberts, a redshirt senior and veteran guard, is expected to be a cornerstone. Roberts has career experience at both guard spots, is known for his run‑blocking power, and returns healthy after battling injuries in 2024. He anchors the right guard spot running behind Proctor, and while his mobility still needs improvement to handle second‑level defenders, his physical presence is crucial to Alabama’s gap‑based power scheme.
Right tackle remains the toughest question entering 2025. The job likely falls to Wilkin Formby, a redshirt sophomore from Tuscaloosa who played high school ball nearby. Formby started early in 2024 but struggled, losing the job midseason, but he regained snaps late and is favored to re‑win the spot in the fall. With strong offseason development, Formby is expected to be more consistent and effective in pass sets. He’ll face competition from transfers and freshmen but looks to solidify his spot
Left guard is a position filled by competition. Kam Dewberry, a veteran transfer from Texas A&M, is currently leading the race, but Geno VanDeMark, a utility interior lineman who rotated in 2024, remains a strong challenger. Incoming freshman Michael Carroll, a five‑star recruit, and Arkel Anugwom from Ball State also bring potential. Carroll and Lloyd could see early opportunities, but the coaching staff values battle‑tested Dewberry and VanDeMark for their ability to step in immediately across multiple positions.
Depth behind the starters is thin and mostly inexperienced. Alabama’s reserves include Olaus Alinen, Jackson Lloyd, Michael Carroll, William Sanders, Joseph Ionata, Roq Montgomery, and Micah DeBose. Only a few saw real game action in 2024. As injuries inevitably strike, Alabama will be tested to see if they can plug in reliable backups without a drop-off—even for one series of running or protection.
The line is under the direction of Chris Kapilovic, a veteran coach hired in December 2023. Kapilovic formerly served as run game coordinator and OL coach at Michigan State and Compass West. His impact was noted instantly: Alabama’s 2024 offseason included specialized training with OL Masterminds, featuring NFL pro Lane Johnson, to fix technique and pass protection issues. Proctor, Booker, Formby, and Alinen participated in those camps and emerged improved.
The overall projection for the starting five is:
LT: Kadyn Proctor, LG: likely Kam Dewberry, C: Parker Brailsford, RG: Jaeden Roberts, RT: Wilkin Formby. Behind them are VanDeMark, Carroll, Alinen, Montgomery, Poe, Ionata, etc
Strengths of this line include exceptional interior balance (Brailsford and Roberts), elite left tackle talent (Proctor), and potential for high-level right tackle performance in Formby. Analysts such as PFF’s Max Chadwick have gone as far as to call Alabama’s interior line possibly the best he’s ever seen. That consistency and dominance inside is the foundation of Alabama’s offense.
Concerns remain. Depth beyond the starters is unproven, especially if multiple injuries hit. Transition at left guard may take time. And right tackle is a developmental fluid situation if Formby struggles again, Alabama must rely on freshmen or lesser‑seasoned options. Additionally, the new offensive system under coordinator Ryan Grubb, brought from Washington, emphasizes tailback‑centred play‑action and zone blocking; that fits the line’s strengths but requires communication and cohesion, especially with a young quarterback in Ty Simpson, who must trust protection up front.
Health is a key variable. If Jaeden Roberts returns fully recovered, he anchors the right side. If Proctor remains healthy, he continues to dominate. But if they miss time, Alabama will be pushed to break in young players challenging in conference games at Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. With many NFL draft‑eligible linemen returning, Alabama’s depth must perform under pressure.
Recruiting has helped supplement uncertainty. The 2025 class included five-star recruits Michael Carroll and Ty Haywood, plus Jackson Lloyd and Micah DeBose, all of whom flashed early at Under Armour All‑America Game practices. Carroll, in particular, is viewed as a plug‑and‑play guard who can erupt into rotation early. Dewberry also adds experienced veteran presence.
Coach DeBoer’s confidence runs deep. At SEC Media Days, he noted that continuity matters most: Brailsford, Roberts, and Proctor returning together gives a leadership anchor and mental toughness to the line. Even after losing Booker and Pritchett to departures, DeBoer expressed faith that the returning core could build around their strengths and hold the trenches.
Comparatively, analysts believe this line should be ranked among the top in the SEC and nation, especially inside. If healthy and cohesive, Alabama’s offensive line should enable a strong running attack behind Jam Miller and open clean pockets for Ty Simpson. Betting markets that currently underrate Alabama nationally might be mispricing this unit’s potential impact.
In sum, Alabama enters fall camp with returning elite starters at three positions and developmental potential on the others. This offensive line is expected to anchor the offense and improve overall efficiency, especially in physical SEC competition. But success depends on health, right guard and tackle performance, and whether young talent like Carroll, Lloyd, or Dewberry can step in seamlessly. Even with those questions, this remains perhaps the deepest top-end unit Alabama has fielded in recent years and it may be the best O‑line in the country if everything clicks.
