Alabama football: Nick Saban explains what he wants from a left tackle

By Nick Alvarez
Who will play left tackle for Alabama football this season? That’s one of the pressing questions the Crimson Tide needs to answer through its 20 fall practices.
While the media can’t view team workouts, two potential candidates are redshirt freshman Elijah Pritchett and true first-year player Kadyn Proctor. None have starting experience but Pritchett played three snaps during the Sugar Bowl and Proctor was the No. 1 rated recruit in the class of 2023.
Regardless of who gets the nod to protect the quarterback’s blindside, UA head coach Nick Saban explained what he’s looking for at the position, as well as the entirety of the offensive line.
“I think just because a guy is a left tackle, he doesn’t have to do all the things that an offensive lineman has to do. He’s got to be assignment-oriented, he’s got to work the guys next to you in terms of how you’re blocking -- whether it’s run or pass,” Saban said Thursday during his first press conference of camp, “but I do think, as you guys have all pointed out, that when you have right-handed quarterbacks, obviously the left tackle is a little bit more important.
“I think pass blocking is important. But I think being a complete player at that position is important, too. You’re moving on the run, being very assignment-oriented, not making a lot of mental errors so that you can execute and play winning football, down in and down out.”
Which tight ends are impressing Nick Saban?
Junior JC Latham was a stalwart a year ago, starting all 12 games without yielding a sack or quarterback pressure. Tyler Booker, now a sophomore, earned his way into the Tide’s guard rotation with Seth McLaughlin and Darrion Dalcourt alternating at center. All four returned and Dalcourt said in the spring he was working at guard, potentially pairing with Booker.
“I think the main message from (OL) coach (Eric) Wolford is getting back to that intensity, that nastiness that we always had as an offensive line. I think in his second year, he’s gotten more comfortable and guys have gotten more comfortable with him,” Dalcourt said in April.
After five linemen left the program following last year’s Iron Bowl, depth was a question mark for the postseason. And though Alabama has added bodies, it’ll be interesting to see how the five new freshmen, including Proctor, factor into the rotation with a trio of redshirt sophomores: James Brockermeyer, Terrance Ferguson II and Jaeden Roberts.
Alabama will start its season by hosting Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 2 before welcoming Texas to Bryant-Denny Stadium a week later.