Alabama Just Got a Major Endorsement From College Football Legend

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College football legend and CBS analyst Aaron Taylor was in Tuscaloosa for an Alabama practice this past weekend.

He left with a very strong message for Bama Nation.

"Alabama will be able to run the football this year, full stop," Taylor said. "That's the headline.”

This has been a weird offseason, by all accounts, and it’s been an offseason where the Crimson Tide had hidden in the shadows.

Just recently, Alabama was ranked No. 13 in the country – the first time in 18 years the Crimson Tide entered a preseason poll outside of the top 10.

But Taylor saw a team that addressed two significant needs that go hand in hand with each other.

Running the ball and the offensive line.

“The improvements year over year from what I saw in this unit after just watching them live for two hours with my own eyes is night and day,” he said. “When they got to the second level, they didn't just go up and try to settle into the linebacker. They were running through those boys. When it came to one-on-ones, they dominated that drill. All across the board, through the two deep, offensive line, using their hands, punching, trusting their technique and starting the fight."

Taylor’s endorsement comes at a pivotal time for an Alabama offensive line undergoing a major overhaul.

He is the founder and chairman of the Joe Moore Award – which is awarded to the top offensive line unit in college football.

After posting one of the worst rushing seasons in program history since the 1950s, head coach Kalen DeBoer let go of offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, and hired Adrian Klemm.

Klemm has coached at both the professional level and at the collegiate level, splitting time between the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans.

Now at Alabama, Klemm appears to already be making an impact.

"If you're a young buck out there, bring your butt to Alabama," Taylor said. "Incredible job of coaching… Klemm is an incredible teacher. He was a hell of a player. But the big difference I noticed already through a two-hour practice from what I saw at any time last year on tape from Alabama was the physicality at the point of attack."

He also offered high praise to five-star freshman EJ Crowell, stating “that dude can go.”

Coming into camp, there was some uncertainty around the offensive line, but as the Tide continued to stack days, there was some cohesion building, including a few unexpected stars popping out like Mal Waldrep and Nick Brooks.

If Taylor’s assessment of the Tide translates to game day, Alabama may have quietly addressed one of its biggest weaknesses from a season ago. 

And if the Crimson Tide can finally establish the run, that No. 13 preseason ranking may not last very long.

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