Ryan Grubb knows exactly what he wants the Alabama football run game to look like next fall.
The Crimson Tide offensive coordinator wants physicality. He wants technical runners who seamlessly transition between inside and outside zone, counters, pin-pulls, powers and sweeps: none of which is new for Alabama.
But to Grubb it’s a mentality, Alabama must be able to run the football whenever and wherever.
“I think the guys know that to win the late games and the playoffs and things like that,” Grubb said, “there has to be a mindset and demeanor that you gotta be able to run the football.”
For Alabama, that mindset is not solely about running backs like Jam Miller, Richard Young or Louisiana transfer Dre’lyn Washington. It’s about the offensive line up front, a line that is seemingly in flux at the start of spring practice.
Certain pieces are set: Parker Brailsford is back at center, Jaeden Roberts is back at right guard and Kadyn Proctor is back at left tackle. Wilkin Formby is seemingly penciled in as the Crimson Tide’s starting right tackle after Elijah Pritchett transferred to Nebraska. And right guard still seems up for grabs with incoming Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry, freshman Michael Carroll and returners like Olaus Alinen fighting for snaps.
But that is not the problem for the Crimson Tide up front. It’s the lack of depth in the room, the lack of options between the starters up front and the four-man freshman class of Carroll, Jackson Lloyd, Micah DeBose and Mal Waldrep Jr., highlighted by a number of spring injuries, including Proctor.
For Grubb, a former offensive line coach at Fresno State, Eastern Michigan and Sioux Falls, that depth problem is what spring practice is for.
“Yeah, we got a couple guys out, for sure, which is just more reps and opportunity for young guys,” Grubb said. “Guys like Jackson Lloyd…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/does-alabama-football-offensive-line-090930106.html
Author : The Tuscaloosa News
Publish date : 2025-03-12 09:09:00
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