Alabama football has to make a crucial replacement on its offensive line this season. Tyler Booker is off to the NFL, and the offensive guard leaves behind both a spot on the field, where he earned second-team all-SEC honors for the past two seasons, and in the locker room.
Booker was a captain for the past two years, one of the Crimson Tide’s unquestioned leaders. Now, Alabama has to figure out how to fill that void up front.
OL coach Chris Kapilovic calls his group the “Juice Squad” and requires them to bring energy for the rest of the team. Offensive guard Geno VanDeMark had an idea for who might do so in Booker’s absence.
“I think it’s just collective effort and doing a good job,” VanDeMark said Tuesday. “It could be better from all of us, having new leaders emerge in the leadership realm of our group. But I mean, J-Rob (Jaeden Roberts) just always hits the smelling salts and gives a pretty good scream, and that gets everybody going.”
Roberts is the Crimson Tide’s starting right guard, and one of the strongest players on the team. He provides a veteran presence in the room, as a redshirt senior for 2025.
On the left side, Alabama will need to find a way to replace Booker. VanDeMark figures into the equation, though he’s also working at center behind Parker Brailsford.
Besides him, Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry and freshman Michael Carroll could have chances at the starting spot. VanDemark had high praise for Dewberry as the Tide continued spring practice on Tuesday.
“He’s a big dude,” VanDeMark said of Dewberry. “Powerful guy. Good hands. And I just like being around him, he’s a good dude, addition to the room.”
Alabama will have an older offensive line group for next season, but VanDeMark also mentioned some of the team’s youngsters when asked who was stepping up during spring ball.
“Will Sanders has made some really good improvements,” VanDeMark said, echoing an opinion Booker shared at the NFL Combine. I think Mal Waldrep’s doing some good stuff in the pass-pro world for sure. I think he’s probably going to be an interior guy, but he’s playing left tackle right now. I probably couldn’t do that, so he’s looking good.”
Alabama will continue spring practice through April 12, when it is scheduled to play the A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A-Day will not be televised, but admission will be free.
