Where versatility is important for Alabama football, and where it is not

Kalen DeBoer’s approach for Alabama football’s spring practices hasn’t changed.

“You’re really focusing on execution every single day,” the Alabama coach said. “Trying to get better. And repetitions make us all better.”

But that execution, that repetition means different things for Alabama’s offense and defense, especially when it comes to how many positions a player can master.

While versatility is a key word for Alabama in 2026, it does mean different things to different units.

Why Alabama football doesn’t want versatility on offensive line

DeBoer is not preaching positional versatility on the offensive line. He wants a unit that is “honed in” on one spot, one that promotes consistency.

“You’re right, there is some versatility with a number of guys,” DeBoer said. “That’s nice, but you also don’t want to (fall) into the trap where you’re moving guys around, and now that continuity, that familiarity that I’m talking about, it’s something that you don’t see. And now you’re not making the strides we want.”

Versatility was at the center of Alabama’s story up front in 2025. Michael Carroll, the top interior lineman in the 2025 recruiting class, played more than 500 snaps at right tackle as a freshman, forcing now-Texas A&M transfer Wilkin Formby inside. Alabama also saw ongoing rotating at both guard spots between Formby, Jaeden Roberts, Kam Dewberry and Geno VanDeMark.

Heading into 2026, much of Alabama’s transfer additions continue that same versatility narrative, whether it’s Nick Brooks, the Texas four-star tackle who played guard as a freshman, or Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James, who has starting experience at both tackle spots.

But early in spring, when either DeBoer or offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb speak of specific linemen, it’s very definitive.

Jackson Lloyd is Alabama’s left tackle.

While he may have more positional versatility than Lloyd, Carroll is Alabama’s right tackle.

Yes, Kaden Strayhorn played guard at times at Michigan, but is a natural center.

There is some wiggle room, though. Take Ty Haywood, the Michigan transfer with 15 career snaps to his name. He started at tackle, but has moved inside to play a bit of guard and has “looked fine at both of them,” Grubb said, adding that Haywood is “so young that you just got to keep working it with him.”

It’s about the unit as a whole, Grubb said, using spring to “find out who the players are” and try to “get some semblance of gel to happen.” This has already happened, DeBoer said, admitting that he sees “a couple lineups with guys playing spots that they can kind of get (into) a rhythm (and) be comfortable playing next to each other.”

Grubb and DeBoer are on the same page. Two things define Alabama’s offensive line in 2026.

“Physicality and consistency, I think, are the two staples we have to see,” Grubb said.

Why versatility is important for Alabama’s defense

Alabama’s defense seems to be on the opposite side of that spectrum.

The Crimson Tide‘s Bandit defensive end and Wolf outside linebacker positions — Alabama’s two main pass rushers — are as interchangeable as they have ever been, with players like Yhonzae Pierre and South Carolina transfer Desmond Umeozulu destined for both positions. Even Devan Thompkins, the USC transfer, is planned to play both Bandit and inside.

“Those guys have body types and skill sets that are going to allow our defensive staff to have fun, but put them in positions to go cut it loose and get after people,” DeBoer said.

That interchangeability is a byproduct of Alabama’s defensive evolution, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. And it’s evolution with one goal in mind: to have a dominant, creative, consistent and fresh pass rush.

But versatility is not only important up front for the Alabama defense.

It’s at Husky: the nickel defensive back that must play man coverage, blitz off the edge, play the run fit and drop back into zone, a position that is incredibly instinctive. Wommack said players like Red Morgan, Chuck McDonald III and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. have each found a home at Husky.

Versatility, Wommack said, is the showcase of knowledge of his defense.

“Most of the guys that we do that with, that play multiple positions have been in this scheme for a couple of years,” Wommack said. “So, typically when a guy comes in as a freshman, we set him into kind of one thing, and then we build and grow from that from there. And so, that’s something that Dre Kirkpatrick, Red Morgan, Zabien (Brown) can do those things, Bray Hubbard. I mean, they’ve just been repping the same plays for two and a half years now, and so, it gives us a chance to be able to do those things more.

Because of versatility, Alabama’s defense has more options. And with more options, Alabama leaves more questions for opposing offenses as to what will come next.

Alabama will end its 2026 spring practice schedule Saturday, April 11 with A-Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.

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: Why Alabama football spring practice is centered around versatility