Alabama Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb Expresses Confidence in Offensive Linemen

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama Crimson Tide will have nearly a brand-new offensive line for the 2026 season after four of its five starters left the program via the NFL draft and the transfer portal. In total, 11 offensive linemen left Alabama, but the Crimson Tide overhauled the room with 11 additions and a new offensive line coach, Adrian Klemm.

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Despite this, it's only taken three practices for Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to identify who his likely starters will be at offensive tackle.

The right tackle was an obvious choice, with sophomore Michael Carroll returning after taking over as the starter last season, with six starts under his belt, and was named a Freshman All-American by multiple outlets. Carroll has experience at guard dating back to his days at IMG Academy, but he told the media on Thursday that he wants to stay at right tackle now, and Grubb echoed that, saying he sees Carroll staying put for now.

Left tackle was the question mark after Kadyn Proctor's departure to the NFL. Alabama brought in two tackle transfers in Michigan OT Ty Haywood and Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James, with incumbent backup Jackson Lloyd returning for his redshirt freshman season after being Proctor's backup a season ago. However, Grubb was blunt with his unmistakable endorsement on Thursday when asked about the left tackle competition: "It's not (a competition). He's the left tackle. He's the guy."

To name a new starter before the first day of fully-padded practice is a big endorsement for Lloyd from the staff, but it explains Alabama's approach in the transfer portal of not targeting many starting-caliber tackles. With so many new faces on the roster this spring, Lloyd immediately stood out to the coaching staff.

"It starts with Jackson and Michael," Grubb said. "And then, really, you know, the center position, Racin Delgatty has been doing an awesome job at center. I think he's really taken the reins quickly. So excited to see him out there.

"But Jackson Lloyd's one guy, just on the football field, like, forget O (offense), D (defense), whatever. He has really stood out as a guy that we're gonna be really excited about as our left tackle."

The endorsement of Lloyd now pencils in two starters on the offensive line for Alabama, with Lloyd at left tackle and Carroll at right tackle. With Delgatty, 'taking the reins quickly,' it's likely Alabama has three starters penciled in by the end of day three of practice. That leaves just the two guard spots open for potentially five guys competing: Michigan transfers Ty Haywood and Kaden Strayhorn, Texas transfer Nick Brooks, Ole Miss transfer Ethan Fields, and returning left guard William Sanders, who is out for spring while recovering from a back injury.

Grubb said that Strayhorn is a "more natural center" but showed versatility starting at guard for Michigan against Texas in the Citrus Bowl. He also said that Haywood started at tackle, but "We moved him inside to play some guard," Grubb said.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.