- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,265,000
- Reaction score
- 59
Ryan Grubb left nothing to interpretation. He wants Alabama football to start its "best five" offensive linemen, a luxury the Crimson Tide was not able to have in 2025.
Grubb knows this is unrealistic. There's injuries. Adjustments need to be made. But in an ideal world, this "best five" will allow for an Alabama offense that can gel immediately.
And if Grubb is honest with himself, the Crimson Tide isn't close to making this dream a reality.
"I think we're a little ways off yet, if I'm being honest," Grubb said after Alabama's second practice of fall camp Thursday, Aug. 6. "I think we got some time here. We got a lot of banked reps. So we've seen all these guys – with the exception of Will (Sanders) – most of these guys have been out there quite a bit. ...But you'd love that to sync up with your quarterback decision, so that you can get some unity going in the game."
ALABAMA RUN GAME: Can Alabama football 'resurrect' run game behind EJ Crowell, Daniel Hill?
ALABAMA QB BATTLE: Ryan Grubb updates Alabama football QB battle on Day 2 of fall camp
While Alabama doesn't have a "best five," left tackle Jackson Lloyd said it's a room that is united, one that is collectively pushing for the same goalks.
"I mean, we all came in with the mindset we needed to get better and we all wanted to get better," Lloyd said. "There wasn't many days or any days where we came in with no energy. We always came in with that sense of urgency to be our best selves."
Lloyd is set as Alabama's starting left tackle. Racin Delgatty is set at center alongside Michael Carroll at right guard.
Texas transfer Nick Brooks and Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James vie for reps at right tackle, both of whome have "battled back and forth in the spring," per Grubb.
"Both those guys are getting their footing and trying to show demand, like, 'This is my job,'" Grubb said.
Left guard, Grubb said, is down to William Sanders and Mal Waldrep Jr., one that is turning into "a heck of a battle."
No matter who is named starters at both positions, Grubb wants consistency. Eight Alabama linemen played at least 100 snaps in 2025. He doesn't want that in 2026, but he's not rushing into that "best five." Because the expectation for those "best five" is high.
"Greatness," Lloyd said. "I mean, that's what everyone expects here. I mean that's a standard. The standard's our best so he expects our best day in and day out."
Alabama kicks off the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. CT against East Carolina.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter or Instagram @colingaytnews.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football offensive line still waiting for 'best five' to emerge
Continue reading...
Grubb knows this is unrealistic. There's injuries. Adjustments need to be made. But in an ideal world, this "best five" will allow for an Alabama offense that can gel immediately.
And if Grubb is honest with himself, the Crimson Tide isn't close to making this dream a reality.
"I think we're a little ways off yet, if I'm being honest," Grubb said after Alabama's second practice of fall camp Thursday, Aug. 6. "I think we got some time here. We got a lot of banked reps. So we've seen all these guys – with the exception of Will (Sanders) – most of these guys have been out there quite a bit. ...But you'd love that to sync up with your quarterback decision, so that you can get some unity going in the game."
ALABAMA RUN GAME: Can Alabama football 'resurrect' run game behind EJ Crowell, Daniel Hill?
ALABAMA QB BATTLE: Ryan Grubb updates Alabama football QB battle on Day 2 of fall camp
While Alabama doesn't have a "best five," left tackle Jackson Lloyd said it's a room that is united, one that is collectively pushing for the same goalks.
"I mean, we all came in with the mindset we needed to get better and we all wanted to get better," Lloyd said. "There wasn't many days or any days where we came in with no energy. We always came in with that sense of urgency to be our best selves."
Lloyd is set as Alabama's starting left tackle. Racin Delgatty is set at center alongside Michael Carroll at right guard.
Texas transfer Nick Brooks and Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James vie for reps at right tackle, both of whome have "battled back and forth in the spring," per Grubb.
"Both those guys are getting their footing and trying to show demand, like, 'This is my job,'" Grubb said.
Left guard, Grubb said, is down to William Sanders and Mal Waldrep Jr., one that is turning into "a heck of a battle."
No matter who is named starters at both positions, Grubb wants consistency. Eight Alabama linemen played at least 100 snaps in 2025. He doesn't want that in 2026, but he's not rushing into that "best five." Because the expectation for those "best five" is high.
"Greatness," Lloyd said. "I mean, that's what everyone expects here. I mean that's a standard. The standard's our best so he expects our best day in and day out."
Alabama kicks off the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. CT against East Carolina.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter or Instagram @colingaytnews.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football offensive line still waiting for 'best five' to emerge
Continue reading...
