Jumbo Package: OL, LB still unsettled after spring

April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama offensive linemen Jayvin James and Michael Carroll drop to block at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage. | Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Happy Gump Day, everyone. Nick Kelly took a stab at the starting lineups coming out of spring. First, let’s talk some offensive line.

Offensive line

Starters: Jackson Lloyd (left tackle), Will Sanders (left guard), Racin Delgatty (center), Michael Carroll (right guard), Jayvin James (right tackle)

Reserves: Nick Brooks, Ethan Fields, Ty Haywood, Kaden Strayhorn, Mal Waldrep, Chris Booker, Tyrell Miller, Bryson Cooley, Casey Poe

Analysis: A swap of Brooks for James could make sense as summer camp progresses. But Lloyd, Delgatty and Carroll are likely to fill three of the spots on the offensive line. As for the left guard spot, Waldrep worked there during A-Day, but when healthy, Will Sanders is a top contender for the job. He will have to fend off Ethan Fields, though. Minus Sanders, the group of starters listed here were the starters on A-Day.

Michael Carroll moved from right tackle to right guard, and here is what he had to say about the switch.

“Everything’s a little bit quicker at right guard,” Carroll said. “That’s the difference. Just gotta be a little more physical, play a little lower, stuff like that. Game happens a little bit quicker.”

Carroll shared what the conversations were like with the coach staff about the position switch.

“It was honestly like, ‘This is what we have to do that’s best for the team,'” Carroll said. “‘We have to have a run game. We need you, want you to be the leader for us.’ So I was like, ‘You know what, my team wants that. I want to help my team win.’ And so I’ll do that for the team.”

That’s great to hear, but you do have to wonder if he’ll stick around next year if they don’t move him back outside. The difference is substantial where NFL paychecks are concerned.

McElroy thinks the QB battle is now a dead heat.

“We know Russell has a real, live arm,” the former Alabama quarterback said. “We get that.

“We also know he has a bit of a presence. The offensive line has talked about it. His teammates have come out. Ryan Coleman-Williams said it kind of feels like a video game when No. 12 is in the ballgame. That’s a big endorsement from one of the skills players.”

McElroy, an ESPN analyst, also pointed to positives about Mack.

“A lot of talent with Austin Mack’s arm,” he explained. “He’s 6-foot-6. He’s seasoned. He’s a veteran. He’s been in the system. He understands the nuance of the offense. He’s not going down without a fight.”

I think Russell has clearly taken the lead at this stage.

On the defensive side, Kelly still sees QB Reese fending off all challengers.

Inside linebackers

Starters: Caleb Woodson, QB Reese

Reserves: Luke Metz, Cayden Jones, Xavier Griffin, Duke Johnson II, Abduall Sanders Jr.

Analysis: Woodson didn’t take long to stand out as an impact player after transferring from Virginia Tech. He had a good A-Day game, too. Meanwhile, Reese shined this spring. He’s competing with Metz, Jones and more to fill the other inside linebacker spot. There’s also a good chance Alabama could rotate some at these spots considering it did so a year ago with Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson and Nikhai Hill-Green. Plus, Griffin’s development will be worth monitoring. Alabama could find ways to work him into the defense as a freshman. He’s a versatile piece who has been compared to Jihaad Campell.

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach has Alabama at 16th coming out of spring.

2026 outlook: Kalen DeBoer’s teams went 20-8 in his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide, which might be fine at other FBS programs, but isn’t good enough at Alabama. The Tide have to become a more physical and disciplined team in 2026. They ranked 125th in rushing (104.1 yards) and must figure out a way to run the ball. Former NFL assistant Adrian Klemm was hired to coach the offensive line. Keelon Russell and Austin Mack will battle for the quarterback job after Simpson left for the NFL draft. There were heavy losses in the front seven on defense after Lawson, Jefferson, Keenan and Overton turned pro. Special teams miscues were also an issue during the past two seasons.

Why, Luther? Just, why?

A former University of Alabama football star plans to plead guilty later this month to orchestrating an alleged scheme in which he impersonated NFL players and defrauded lenders out of nearly $20m. The alleged scam is described in detail by the US attorney for the northern district of Georgia, including depictions of the former defensive lineman donning disguises during loan closings.

Luther Davis, a member of the Alabama team that won the 2010 national championship game, along with a partner, CJ Evins, “obtained at least thirteen fraudulent loans totaling more than $19,845,000”, the criminal information filing alleges. A criminal information (CI) document is filed by a US attorney when a defendant agrees to waive the constitutional right to indictment by a grand jury and instead proceed by typically entering a guilty plea; both Davis and Evins are doing so according to the court docket.

Last, Evan Miyakawa has some information on the basketball portal, in case you’re wondering what caused Aiden Sherrell to bolt.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that bigs are a prized commodity this offseason after teams like Michigan, Arizona, Florida, and Duke all dominated with loaded frontcourts. Michigan and Florida, in particular, thrived by having players like Yaxel Lendeborg and Thomas Haugh, traditionally considered stretch-4s, play down at small forward. Since we live in a copycat league, other teams are trying to replicate this by stocking up on extra big men.

Predictably, this has led to some pretty outrageous asking prices for bigs all across Division 1. In a recent coaches poll, Jeff Goodman approximated that elite portal bigs were going for at least a million more than guards or wings. In many cases, this overspending on bigs is not justified.

It will be interesting to see how Nate Oats approaches this. Kentucky big Brandon Garrison has already committed, but Alabama will need more bodies to rotate down low. Keitenn Bristow and Collins Onyejiaka are still on the roster with six portaling days left, but both missed the majority of the season with injury or, in Onyejiaka’s case, health issues.

In any case, my suspicion is that a very few players are seen as potential championship additions and will benefit from bidding wars to drive up the “average” price, while the vast majority end up disappointed in what teams are willing to offer.

That’s about it for now. Have a great day.

Roll Tide.