Alabama Football: Projected post-spring 2019 depth chart
Offensive Line
LT
- Alex Leatherwood (JR)
- Evan Neal (FR) -OR- Scott Lashley (RS JR)
- Tanner Bowles (FR)
LG
- Emil Ekiyor Jr. (RS FR) -OR- Deonte Brown (RS JR)
- Evan Neal (FR)
- Tommy Brown (RS FR)
C
- Chris Owens (RS JR)
- Emil Ekiyor (RS FR)
- Darrian Dalcourt (FR)
RG
- Matt Womack (RS SR)
- Pierce Quick (FR)
- Kendall Randolph (RS SO)
RT
- Jedrick Wills (JR)
- Scott Lashley (RS JR) -OR- Evan Neal (FR)
- Amari Kight (FR)
Alabama had to replace two (and a half) starters from last season’s offensive line, including projected first round pick Jonah Williams, who was a unanimous All-American last season. Despite that, the Tide’s offensive line still has the potential to be one of the best units in college football.
Projecting the starting group here, in particular, is tough. Alabama has played with several different combinations throughout the spring, and that will continue during the summer and fall. Saban always wants the five-best on the field, positions be damned.
With Williams gone at left tackle, junior Alex Leatherwood will shift from right guard back to his natural position. Leatherwood’s upside at tackle is high, and he showed how good he could be there when he replaced an injured Williams in the national championship game in 2017.
On the other end, junior Jedrick Wills is back after manning Tagovailoa’s blindside flawlessly as a sophomore. Willis and Leatherwood give Alabama a pair of bookends who could both be first round picks in 2020.
The tackles are locked in, but there could be plenty of shuffling on the interior of the line between now and the season opener in Atlanta. Chris Owens and Emil Ekiyor have battled for the vacated center position with Ross Pierschbacher graduating. Owens came out of spring ahead, and will likely take the first snaps of the season. The loser of that battle will likely kick to left guard to start for at least the first four games of the season.
Deonte Brown was the second player to receive a four-game suspension. Brown started several games last year, replacing an ineffective (and now graduated) Lester Cotton. Brown’s insertion into the starting five allowed the group to flourish even further, and there was a notable difference once he went out with an injury and ultimately got suspended for the College Football Playoff.
On the right side, redshirt senior Matt Womack shifted inside and spent most of the spring working at guard. Prior to an injury in 2017, Womack was the team’s starting right tackle. Willis replaced him and then never gave the position up after that. Womack has a ton of experience, and should function well on the interior with his ability as a run blocker.
The biggest wildcard of the group is five-star freshman Evan Neal, who worked with the first team offense quite a bit during spring practice. He’s a natural tackle, likely to backup either, or both, of Leatherwood and Wills on the ends. But he also practiced a good bit at guard, and could push Womack or Ekiyor in the summer or fall for one of the starting spots.
Regardless, Alabama’s depth and experience up front should be one of its biggest strengths.