Alabama OL Combats 'Poor Me' Mindset Despite Rotations

Alabama has rotated heavily along the offensive line this season, with nine different offensive linemen playing meaningful reps (non-blowout reps) in the Crimson Tide's most recent two games.

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LT: Kadyn Proctor, Jackson Lloyd
LG: Kam Dewberry, William Sanders
C: Parker Brailsford
RG: Geno VanDeMark, Jaeden Roberts, Wilkin Formby
RT: Wilkin Formby, Michael Carroll

While Alabama has used the same starting five in every game this season, the rotations have been heavy outside of Proctor at left tackle (Lloyd comes in when Proctor is lined up in the Krispy Package) and Brailsford at center. Beyond that, reps seem to be up in the air depending on who is playing the best that day.

Alabama's coaching staff has been consistent all season with the intention of keeping rotating offensive linemen. "

"We’ll keep rotating," Grubb said ahead of Alabama's game against Georgia. "There’s a lot of guys, both, not just for experience and depth, but also keeping guys fresh and keeping them in position where they can play hard for 80 snaps a game."

One such player who has been heavily involved in the Tide's rotations is Wilkin Formby. Forby starts every game at right tackle, but has seen his snaps shared at tackle with true freshman Michael Carroll. Recently, when Carroll works his way in at tackle, Formby has kicked inside to right guard. Formby said on Tuesday that the offensive line room has done a good job of shifting its mindset, despite not getting the reps that they may have wanted to start the season.

"Nobody has the ‘poor me’s or is moping around," Formby said on Tuesday. "We have team victories, team success. So when we’re on the sideline, and one of the guards is out, and they’re watching Kam Dewberry dump somebody, we’re the biggest fans supporting him, and we’re cheering. Or if Michael Carroll lays down a big block, I’m excited because it’s a team victory. That’s how we approach this.

"I just think the way our team is, and the way it’s trending, is just such a brotherhood," Formby continued. "I think that Coach DeBoer and Coach Ballou this offseason put a huge emphasis on that, and especially Parker Brailsford, trying to get some unity in our room and stuff. Doing things off the field has really helped our brotherhood."

Alabama's offensive line will be tested on Saturday against Missouri, which boasts the No. 1 run defense in college football, giving up just 62.4 yards per game on the ground and just 2.64 yards per rush. Opponents have only rushed for two touchdowns against the Tigers this season.

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_.