TideSports 2016 preview: Offensive line
Returning starters: Cam Robinson, Ross Pierschbacher, Alphonse Taylor
Starters lost: Ryan Kelly, Dominick Jackson
Top candidates: Jonah Williams has only been on campus since the spring semester, but the true freshman has carved out a spot for himself somewhere on the line, most likely at right tackle. The 6-foot-5, 296-pounder could play any spot but he’s worked the most at right tackle. Lester Cotton is another young player who has earned a spot in the starting five. He’s perhaps more natural at tackle, but with Williams’ ability the coaching staff moved the former Central High School standout inside to Pierschbacher's former spot at left guard. The potential to have two athletic, mauling guys on the left side of the line (Cotton and Robinson) is tantalizing to think about. Bradley Bozeman is also competing for a spot at right guard with Taylor, who started there last season.
Newcomer to watch: Williams brings with him more than a five-star rating. He’s one of the more versatile guys on the line, with the ability to truly play any of the five positions if needed. That includes center. He’s that talented. He has good footwork and his size and athleticism make him a talent. Add to it his work ethic and football acumen and you can see why the coaching staff is so excited about the California native.
You need to know: The team is looking for more consistent, upgraded play from the right side of the line this season, an area that struggled at times last season, including during the last few games when it faced good defenses. Williams is an upgrade athletically over Jackson at right tackle, but he’s also a true freshman on the edge facing elite pass rushers. Taylor, or “Shank” as he’s referred to by teammates and coaches, has struggled with his weight and conditioning. Bozeman is one of the strongest guys on the team, but he’s not as athletic as others. Both are competing for the starting spot at right guard.
Outlook: While everyone obsesses over who the stating quarterback will be or if Bo Scarbrough can lead an inexperienced running backs corps, perhaps the more important question needed to be answered to determine the viability of the offense this season is whether or not Pierschbacher can adequately replace Kelly. That’s not questioning Pierschbacher’s ability at all, more recognizing how talented Kelly was as a three-year starter at center. The development of an offensive line takes time, and communication is key. The sooner the coaching staff recognizes the right guy in the right position, the sooner that communication as a group starts to develop. Also throw into the mix a new position coach. Brent Key takes over after Mario Cristobal moved to mainly work with tight ends. Cristobal helped lead his unit to national acclaim last season, with the unit winning the first-ever Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line in the country.
Key stat: Junior left tackle Cam Robinson hasn’t missed a start in his two-year Crimson Tide career, despite suffering a severe high-ankle sprain his freshman year and dealing with shoulder and knee issues as a sophomore.
Quotable: “I can say that from practice, Jonah Williams has done a really, really good job. He’s gotten a little bigger. He’s gotten a little stronger. He’s smart. He’s confident. Bozeman and 'Shank' both have played at right guard and we’ve also looked at other combinations of players in these various positions. So I’m pleased with the progress, not satisfied but certainly think that it’s a better, more healthy, more depth situation than we had a year ago.” – UA head coach Nick Saban