Two Transfers Competing at Right Tackle For Tide’s Offensive Line

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Over the last two seasons, Alabama has had a battle at right tackle that lasts well into the regular season, with Elijah Pritchett and Wilkin Formby competing for the job in 2024 and Formby competing with Michael Carroll for the job in 2025. With Pritchett off to Nebraska at the end of the 2024 season and Formby now sitting in College Station, Texas, with Texas A&M, the Crimson Tide has two brand new faces competing for the right tackle job: Texas transfer Nick Brooks and Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James.

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James took a bulk of the right tackle reps in spring, which Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb hinted at when asked about the right tackle competition on Thursday morning.

"Nick did a good job. We moved him around quite a bit. Jayvin really was just at right tackle," Grubb told reporters on Thursday.

Despite Brooks being moved between multiple positions, Grubb is excited to see what he brings to the competition with James, who started last season at left tackle for Mississippi State before switching sides at Alabama.

"They both did a good job. They battled back and forth in the spring," Grubb said. "Seeing Nick in some different spots was really good. But both those guys - obviously Nick's massive, uses his size well. He's an incredible athlete for his size. And then Jayvin is probably one of the most savvy players we have up front. So I think both those guys are getting their footing and trying to show command, like this is my job. So, doing a great job."

Brooks started three games at three different positions for Texas last season as a freshman. The 6-foot-7, 333-pound sophomore offensive lineman will compete with Jayvin James, a 6-foot-5, 317-pound senior transfer from Mississippi State.

Alabama returns to the practice field on Friday, August 7, and is set to open the season on Saturday, September 5, against East Carolina.

Watch Ryan Grubb's full press conference here!

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_.