Spring practices are just a few days away at this point. I'll try to do a rundown and refresher style preview for each position group as we lead into it (they will probably bleed into the start of practices since I got a late start on it). Anyway, these aren't going to be very deep dives for the most part, instead they are just snapshots of position groups as spring practice starts. With all the roster turnover and such these days, maybe it'll be helpful in some way to remind who is still around and who all is new to the team.
Starting off today with the Offensive Line...
Losses
Tyler Booker (draft)
Elijah Pritchett (transfer)
Miles McVay (transfer)
Gains
Micah DeBose (Fr. signee)
Michael Carrol (Fr. signee)
Mal Waldrep (Fr. signee)
Jackson Lloyd (Fr. signee)
Arkel Anugwom (RSo. transfer from Ball State)
Kam Dewberry (Sr. transfer from Texas A&M)
Returners
Jaeden Roberts (RSr.)
Geno VandDeMark (RSr.)
Parker Brailsford (RJr.)
Kadyn Proctor (Jr.)
Wilkin Formby (RSo.)
Roq Montgomery (RSo.)
Olaus Alinen (RSo.)
Casey Poe (RFr.)
William Sanders (RFr.)
Joseph Inoata (RFr.)
Ok, first thing we know is that Kadyn Proctor will start next fall at left tackle (again). However, since he's recovering from shoulder surgery, he won't be participating in any full speed/contact stuff this spring. So, who gets those important reps at LT while Proctor is on the shelf? It sounds like it'll be a spring competition of sorts with true freshman Jackson Lloyd and transfer Arkel Anguwom getting reps. Lloyd has loads of potential and word is, he's ready to contribute now. Anguwom has some experience at Ball State to lean on, but is still very raw. The staff wants to get him reps though, even if they come with some growing pains. Keep in mind however, Bama is breaking in a new QB and they are going to want, and need, some consistency and stability out of that spot in the spring with Proctor out. If either of those guys fail to step up, other options will be looked at (possibly including sliding Formby over to the left side).
At left guard we will see another pretty good battle to see who can step in for the departed Tyler Booker. Geno VanDeMark and incoming transfer Kam Dewberry are the 2 likely candidates, with the runner up settling into the primary backup swing spot that VanDeMark occupied last season (which is valuable in his case since he can also play center).
Parker Brailsford is back at center, and barring injury, he has that spot locked down. If you've been asleep, just know he's All-American level good.
At right guard, Jaeden Roberts returns after some flirting with the NFL. Roberts was limited last season thanks to multiple injuries, but was still a key part of the offensive line. The main goal this spring will be to get Roberts healthy and keep him there heading into summer. That likely means some extra spring reps for those behind him.
At right tackle, part time starter Elijah Pritchett transferred out (a good thing IMO). While there was discussion of Wilkin Formby sliding inside to guard for the '25 season, a couple things happened that have nixed that idea. 1. Roberts returned. 2. They were not able to land the caliber of tackle in the portal that they had hoped they would. The feeling however is that Formby will continue to improve, and now that the job is completely his, he will be getting many more 1st team reps. He's also a hard worker who his teammates and coaches love. They want him on the field, and they stepped up and showed him he was very important to their plans when other schools (especially LSU) dangled a lot of money in front of him this past January.
Some others that should make some noise and could factor into the 2 deep are...
-Roq Montgomery. He will be the backup center and also get reps at right guard.
-Olaus Alinen. A big, strong lineman who can play guard or tackle. He came in a bit raw, but has steadily improved and has a lot of potential. Would imagine he gets a good amount of reps at tackle behind Formby this spring.
-Michael Carroll. A true freshman in a crowded situation, but a guy that won't be kept off the field for long. Projects as a guard but will get a look at right tackle due to depth issues.
-William Sanders. Another young guard with promise.
-Joseph Ionata. Redshirt Freshman who will get reps at guard and center.
-Casey Poe. Another young guard.
-Jackson Lloyd. Freshman with good size and ability with a future at LT.
Starting off today with the Offensive Line...
Losses
Tyler Booker (draft)
Elijah Pritchett (transfer)
Miles McVay (transfer)
Gains
Micah DeBose (Fr. signee)
Michael Carrol (Fr. signee)
Mal Waldrep (Fr. signee)
Jackson Lloyd (Fr. signee)
Arkel Anugwom (RSo. transfer from Ball State)
Kam Dewberry (Sr. transfer from Texas A&M)
Returners
Jaeden Roberts (RSr.)
Geno VandDeMark (RSr.)
Parker Brailsford (RJr.)
Kadyn Proctor (Jr.)
Wilkin Formby (RSo.)
Roq Montgomery (RSo.)
Olaus Alinen (RSo.)
Casey Poe (RFr.)
William Sanders (RFr.)
Joseph Inoata (RFr.)
Ok, first thing we know is that Kadyn Proctor will start next fall at left tackle (again). However, since he's recovering from shoulder surgery, he won't be participating in any full speed/contact stuff this spring. So, who gets those important reps at LT while Proctor is on the shelf? It sounds like it'll be a spring competition of sorts with true freshman Jackson Lloyd and transfer Arkel Anguwom getting reps. Lloyd has loads of potential and word is, he's ready to contribute now. Anguwom has some experience at Ball State to lean on, but is still very raw. The staff wants to get him reps though, even if they come with some growing pains. Keep in mind however, Bama is breaking in a new QB and they are going to want, and need, some consistency and stability out of that spot in the spring with Proctor out. If either of those guys fail to step up, other options will be looked at (possibly including sliding Formby over to the left side).
At left guard we will see another pretty good battle to see who can step in for the departed Tyler Booker. Geno VanDeMark and incoming transfer Kam Dewberry are the 2 likely candidates, with the runner up settling into the primary backup swing spot that VanDeMark occupied last season (which is valuable in his case since he can also play center).
Parker Brailsford is back at center, and barring injury, he has that spot locked down. If you've been asleep, just know he's All-American level good.
At right guard, Jaeden Roberts returns after some flirting with the NFL. Roberts was limited last season thanks to multiple injuries, but was still a key part of the offensive line. The main goal this spring will be to get Roberts healthy and keep him there heading into summer. That likely means some extra spring reps for those behind him.
At right tackle, part time starter Elijah Pritchett transferred out (a good thing IMO). While there was discussion of Wilkin Formby sliding inside to guard for the '25 season, a couple things happened that have nixed that idea. 1. Roberts returned. 2. They were not able to land the caliber of tackle in the portal that they had hoped they would. The feeling however is that Formby will continue to improve, and now that the job is completely his, he will be getting many more 1st team reps. He's also a hard worker who his teammates and coaches love. They want him on the field, and they stepped up and showed him he was very important to their plans when other schools (especially LSU) dangled a lot of money in front of him this past January.
Some others that should make some noise and could factor into the 2 deep are...
-Roq Montgomery. He will be the backup center and also get reps at right guard.
-Olaus Alinen. A big, strong lineman who can play guard or tackle. He came in a bit raw, but has steadily improved and has a lot of potential. Would imagine he gets a good amount of reps at tackle behind Formby this spring.
-Michael Carroll. A true freshman in a crowded situation, but a guy that won't be kept off the field for long. Projects as a guard but will get a look at right tackle due to depth issues.
-William Sanders. Another young guard with promise.
-Joseph Ionata. Redshirt Freshman who will get reps at guard and center.
-Casey Poe. Another young guard.
-Jackson Lloyd. Freshman with good size and ability with a future at LT.
