Alabama football has its left tackle. And the competition wasn't close

Ryan Grubb knows what he wants out of Alabama football’s offensive line. It’s physicality, consistency and execution. And that process, he said, of finding five offensive linemen that buy into that together is still “a ways away.”

“I think that’s one of the biggest challenges for coach (Adrian) Klemm or any O-line coach, I think during the spring … especially with so many new pieces, you’re trying to find out who the players are, who the guys are and trying to get a semblance of gel to happen,” Grubb said after Alabama‘s spring practice Thursday, March 12.

But Grubb already has a few pieces penciled in: Michael Carroll at right tackle, Cal Poly transfer Racin Delgatty at center and Jackson Lloyd at left tackle. And when Grubb was asked about the competition at that left tackle position, the Alabama offensive coordinator shot the question down.

“It’s not,” Grubb said. “He’s the left tackle.”

As a true freshman in 2025, Lloyd played 41 snaps across five games, per Pro Football Focus, splitting time between left tackle and right tackle. He did not allow a pressure.

Ahead of spring, Alabama added ample offensive line help, including Jayvin James: a Mississippi State transfer who played nearly 700 snaps at left tackle for the Bulldogs last season. But Lloyd has separated himself, Grubb said.

“Jackson Lloyd’s just one guy on the football field, forget O, D, whatever, he has really stood out as a guy we’re really excited about as our left tackle,” Grubb said.

As a member of the same recruiting class as Lloyd, Carroll said he’s watched Lloyd “build and be such a hard worker.”

“He’s grown tremendously,” Carroll said. “He’s gotten stronger, faster, more confident.”

And now Lloyd is a building block, one of two tackle positions seemingly cemented with both guard spots up for grabs.

“It starts with those two guys,” Grubb said. “And everything else, we’re moving into those other spots.”

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What Jackson Lloyd brings to Alabama football offensive line