With all other starting positions on the offensive line nearly finalized, the right tackle spot has been a prolonged offseason battle between two highly regarded prospects.
After allowing the fifth-most sacks in FBS and the highest in the SEC last season, Alabama’s offensive line has undergone significant changes and is expected to provide quarterback Jalen Milroe with better protection. Crimson Tide’s starting spots are nearly set, with Kadyn Proctor at left tackle, Tyler Booker at left guard, Parker Brailsford at center, and Jaeden Roberts at right guard (though Roberts is currently injured but expected to return soon). The right tackle position remains contested between Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby, and following Saturday’s scrimmage, head coach Kalen DeBoer noted that neither player has secured the position yet.
“Until we get some game-time experience, it’s uncertain if we’ll fully resolve the right tackle position,” DeBoer said during the post-scrimmage press conference. “Both candidates have their strengths and excel in different areas. Right now, neither seems to be a liability. The goal is to determine which player will be our starter. Both have earned significant reps, but we might reassess if things change or if one player makes a clear case for the role.”
At the start of last season, Pritchett, a redshirt freshman at the time, was the backup left tackle behind Proctor. Formby, a freshman last year, wasn’t listed as a backup on either side of the offensive line.
With just two weeks remaining before the Week 1 matchup against Western Kentucky, the decision on the right tackle position is becoming increasingly urgent for DeBoer and his staff. This is a challenging task, given they are looking to replace JC Latham, the first Alabama player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Latham, chosen seventh overall by the Tennessee Titans, was a two-year starter at right tackle for Alabama with 27 career starts and 41 total appearances. He contributed to two SEC championship teams, once as a starter and once as a reserve. In his final season, he allowed only two sacks on 408 pass attempts and earned All-SEC First Team honors, along with Second Team All-American selections from multiple organizations, including the Associated Press, FWAA, The Sporting News, Walter Camp, CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today.
The pressure is on to choose between Pritchett and Formby as Latham’s successor, but DeBoer and offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic are prepared to let the competition extend into the season.
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