Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer Breaks Down Upcoming New Offensive Line

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

One of the biggest pain points for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2025 season was the offensive line.

And coach Kalen DeBoer knew that next season, the offensive line had to get immensely better.

Especially after his star center Parker Brailsford and left tackle Kadyn Proctor entered the NFL Draft, the need to improve up front was imperative.

After the season, DeBoer had let go of offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic and brought in Adrian Klemm. 

Klemm has an extensive history as a coach, even in the NFL, where he was the offensive line coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots.

He also served as associate head coach and run-game coordinator with the Oregon Ducks. And just recently, was a senior defensive assistant with USC.

Looking back, Alabama was lucky to even get to where it did.

The Crimson Tide offensive line let up 2.4 sacks per game, which was 102nd in the FBS, which in turn also destroyed the running game.

The 2026 Alabama run game posted the worst rushing yards per game since 1955, and while the offensive line isn’t the sole culprit in it. It definitely did not help.

There will only be one returning lineman this season, in sophomore right tackle Michael Carroll, who mightily impressed the coaching staff so much that he earned his first start against Tennessee, over Wilkin Formby.

But leading up to the season, Carroll is expected to start on the interior, rather than the edge.

"[Carroll] Took a lot of snaps for us the last half of the year. He wasn't gonna jump in there as a true freshman, the first game of the year, but you could see what he's capable of. Whether it was the spring, summer, fall camp. It just was a matter of time for him to get out there on the football field."

DeBoer spoke to college football analyst and Alabama alum Greg McElroy on his show Always College Football to discuss what he is expecting from the new offensive line that will protect either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell.

Jayvin James is a redshirt junior from Mississippi State, is a lesser known tackle and is expected to take over at right tackle for Carroll. But he’s one that DeBoer has high hopes for.

"No one really knows who he is, but he started a couple seasons now. The last one in the SEC here [at Mississippi State]."

DeBoer is also a believer in William Sanders, a four-star guard who was recruited by Nick Saban, and has spent two seasons in Tuscaloosa. However, he’s dealt with injuries throughout his career and has been unable to get going.

"[Sanders is] Homegrown here, and really expecting some things coming off just some rehab and some injury stuff that he's had here this spring, being more of an interior guard spot."

Two of the more intriguing options are projected left tackle Jackson Lloyd, a four-star recruit, and one of DeBoer’s first commits, and transfer center out of Cal Poly, center Racin Delgatty.

Heading into spring camp, DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb seemed pretty sure that Lloyd was the guy that will be taking snaps at left tackle once the season starts.

On Lloyd: "We saw what [he] could be as he continued to grow. Again, it wasn't perfect every day in practice, but he got his chance here this spring and he really took those valuable reps against our ones every single day. His growth is just a lot like we're talking about with Keelon [Russell]. His growth is just going to continue to be on that [upward] trajectory."

Delgatty doesn’t have that same trajectory, as he’ll be battling for the starting job with Michigan transfer Kayden Strayhorn, and homegrown talent Mal Waldrep.

DeBoer made it known that he needs to have a great camp for him to be considered. But he’s not short on reps. Over the past two seasons for Cal Poly, Delgatty has played over 1,300 snaps.

"He's logged a lot of snap counts. He came from Cal Poly. Again, different level of football, but with him coming here and doing what he does, you can see the intelligence factor and you can see him technically do a good job. There is a learning curve. Physicality every single play is on another level. He's adjusting well. Needs a great summer. Needs a great fall camp. There's a lot of things that we feel really good about."

Change was needed upfront, and change is exactly what we’re getting. Whether that turns into a positive or not remains to be seen, but if Alabama wants to be a championship team, it needs to get more out of its trenches.

Bama Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Alabama. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos