50 players Alabama fans need to know: The new starter who’s ‘working his ass off’
Between now and the unofficial kickoff to the football preseason at SEC Media Days on July 20, AL.com is featuring one Alabama football player per day. We begin the series today with Jackson Lloyd.
Olivia Bennett 
EDITOR’S NOTE: Between now and the unofficial kickoff to the football preseason at SEC Media Days on July 20, 205focus.com is featuring one Alabama football player per day. We begin the series today with Jackson Lloyd.
Before stepping onto the field in Tuscaloosa, Jackson Lloyd was already drawing comparisons to a former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick. It is a bold statement, but Alabama general manager Courtney Morgan isn't taking it lightly.
Drawing on his time at the University of Michigan, Morgan compared the rising offensive tackle to former star Jake Long. In a December 2024 conversation, Morgan noted that he saw Long before his ascent to the top of the 2008 NFL draft. “So I know what that offensive tackle looks like,” Morgan said. “I think Jackson Lloyd coming in here can be a guy like that. Jake Long was a guy who was (6-foot-8, 303 pounds) as a freshman who was special by his movement skills.”
Taking Over the Blindside
While redshirt freshman Jackson Lloyd has a long path ahead to reach Long's level of success, he is firmly on the right track. With Kadyn Proctor departing this spring to become a first-round NFL draft pick, the left tackle position opened up, and Lloyd moved quickly to claim it.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb didn't leave much room for debate during spring practices. On March 12, when asked how the battle for the position was shaping up, Grubb stated simply: “It’s not. He’s the left tackle.” Grubb doubled down on that sentiment, calling Lloyd a player the staff is “really excited about.”
Rising to the Challenge
Lloyd’s work ethic has caught the attention of the locker room as well. Running back Daniel Hill noted the intensity Lloyd brings to every practice session. “He’s doing great,” Hill said in late March. “He’s been working ever since last season, coming back, doing the little things right. Working his ass off in fourth quarter, spring ball, everything like that.”
As Alabama navigates a significant rebuild across the offensive line—with Michael Carroll serving as the only returning starter—Lloyd is poised to be a crucial building block. If his spring trajectory is any indicator, the Crimson Tide have found their man to protect the blindside.
COMING TUESDAY: We feature the Crimson Tide’s electric sophomore receiver Lotzeir Brooks.
