Wilkin Formby Becoming Leader in OL Room

The Alabama offensive line will have questions to answer in 2025 as spring practice continues, but one player seems to already be cementing himself as a mainstay and eliminating the questions at right tackle.

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Wilkin Formby, who started two games for Alabama in 2024, has taken the strides necessary to be a strong competitor in the offensive line room. Outside of missing a handful of practices due to illness, DeBoer said Formby has been the mainstay at right tackle after losing Elijah Pritchett in the transfer portal.

"What stood out to me, the first practice in particular is his leadership," DeBoer said after Alabama's spring practice on Tuesday. "I'm encouraging that out of him. He's taking the next step in terms of just being aggressive that way, which I think just carries over into confidence and play on the football field. He's out there making the calls with confidence. It starts with Parker [Brailsford], works its way out. That right side now is kind of the veteran side with he and [Jaeden Roberts] and Parker at center. Like what he brings, and he's had a good offseason in the weight room."

The big questions for Alabama come on the left side, replacing NFL-bound Tyler Booker and left tackle Kadyn Proctor watching from the sideline due to injury this spring.

True freshman Jackson Lloyd and Mal Waldrep Jr. have taken reps at left tackle, as well as Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom.

DeBoer praised second-year Michigan State transfer Geno VanDeMark, stating he has taken some reps at left guard. VanDeMark's versatility is something DeBoer also noted, with experience playing both guard spots and serving as the second-string center.

Another player, Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry is "coming along every day and getting more and more comfortable" at left guard according to DeBoer.

However, no answer has yet emerged along the left side of the offensive line. "It's been a little bit of a by-committee type of situation there on the left side those two spots," DeBoer said

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.