Alabama Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb Hopes to See Offensive Line Continue “Slow Build”

Alabama's offensive line rolled out a new starting combination on Saturday against Oklahoma, with the left side of the offensive line staying the same that we've seen all season long, led by Kadyn Proctor at left tackle, Kam Dewberry at left guard, and Parker Brailsford at center.

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The right side of the offensive line, which has been in flux for most of the season, featured typical Alabama starting right tackle Wilkin Formby at right guard, and true former five-star offensive lineman Michael Carroll at right tackle. The Crimson Tide had typically been running with second-year Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark at right guard and Formby at right tackle. Another combo Alabama has featured was Jaeden Roberts at right guard and Formby at right tackle.

Despite the changes to the offensive line, Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and head coach Kalen DeBoe thought that the offensive line did a good job on Saturday against Oklahoma's surging pass rush.

"You know what? I thought they played well, honestly. I thought the last two weeks, they've been building. It's been a little bit of a slow build. I thought Wilkin played outstanding. We challenged him. Me personally, I put Wilkin on the spot playing right guard, that has not been something that he's done over his career, and he played really well. I thought, after you watched the film, the interior of the pocket was as good as I've seen all year. Like, countless times, you saw Ty climbing the pocket, able to rip the ball over the middle, and I thought Wilk was a big part of that.

"So, the stability that they brought, and then really, the run game part. That was a really good run defense, and honestly, what we did up front, how we executed, was as good as we've done. I know it doesn't feel like that with the 80 yards, but the reality is we've been, for the last month or better, it's tough to say, but we've averaged between seven and nine negative yards per game. And on Saturday night, we had two, and they were gains of zero, so technically they weren't negative. Both of those runs, I'll just say, we just missed them. We had big holes that we just didn't friggin hit, and it sucks, because the o-line worked their tails off, and that's a part that I know they see that, I know that our guys see that on film, so I thought the o-line played well.

Despite the Crimson Tide giving up four sacks to the Sooners, Alabama faced one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the country and saw some life in what had been a dead running game up to this point in the season.

"I know four sacks isn't very sexy, but that was a good front and a defense that plays well and could have got the ball out a little quicker a couple times. But I thought they picked up some really good pressures and gave us a chance. And honestly, during the week of preparation, I think the o-line was the guys who really brought the energy and the juice at practice. I'm anticipating those guys continuing to build and honestly, keep taking the right steps forward here late in the season."

DeBoer said the Formby and Carroll combo did good, but still had some areas of improvement after Saturday.

"I think they did a pretty good job. I thought there was things where our execution was certainly improved, and I thought Wilkin did a nice job getting off the ball. Some areas, there's a goal line play that I really felt like he really had a low hat, and showed some things that he's continued to work on. And Michael was out there competing. You know he's gonna give everything he has. There's no doubt about it. He doesn't look like a freshman, and he's played a lot of snaps this year that are meaningful. Together, I think those guys had a good week of practice. And again, it wasn't perfect, things that they could have been better on, but there's a lot of a lot of success that they had together as well."

Alabama's offensive line blocked for Ty Simpson, allowing the Crimson Tide's quarterback to throw for 326 yards and a touchdown. They blocked in the run game for the Crimson Tide running backs to rush for 80 yards and two touchdowns.

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_.