Kalen DeBoer shares who leads Alabama’s offensive line position battles

With the Alabama football quarterback battle officially settled—Keelon Russell has been named the starter—the focus at 205focus.com now shifts to the remaining position battles in the trenches. While the signal-caller question is behind them, the Crimson Tide offensive line is still looking for clarity at two key spots as the season opener draws near.

Who is leading the trenches?

Head coach Kalen DeBoer addressed the media on Monday regarding the ongoing competition at right tackle and left guard. While he stopped short of naming definitive starters, the coaching staff is beginning to see some separation in the unit.

At right tackle, the battle between Jayvin James and Nick Brooks remains tight, though James currently holds the edge in workload. DeBoer noted that while James has taken the majority of the reps, Brooks continues to push hard. James brings veteran experience to the table, having joined the program this offseason as a fifth-year player after starting at Mississippi State last year. Brooks, meanwhile, arrived in Tuscaloosa after spending last season at Texas.

The Left Guard Situation

The interior of the offensive line features a competition between Mal Waldrep and Will Sanders. According to DeBoer, the distribution of reps at left guard has been influenced by injury management. Waldrep, a sophomore who appeared in two games last season, handled the bulk of the work during the early portion of camp while Sanders worked through recovery from an injury that sidelined him during the spring and summer. Sanders, a junior who played in all 15 games in 2025, is now integrated into the rotation, keeping the competition open.

Looking Ahead

Time is of the essence for the Crimson Tide as they finalize their lineup. Alabama is set to kick off its 2026 campaign on Sept. 5, hosting East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Fans can keep up with the latest updates and depth chart developments right here on 205focus.com.