This final week of spring ball in Tuscaloosa was supposed to crescendo with A-Day, Alabama Crimson Tide’s iconic spring scrimmage. But even without a formal game, the stakes feel sky-high. There’s no shortage of positional battles bubbling beneath the surface, none more intriguing than the question of who steps up along the offensive line in the absence of Kadyn Proctor. The 6-foot-7 blindside anchor, now sidelined with injury, was expected to be the immovable force on the left edge. His absence has opened the door—and one versatile, oversized lineman has kicked it halfway off the hinges. Kalen DeBoer sees one name all the way from Finland quietly climbing the depth chart at breakneck speed.
Not one but several players have been the advocate for Olaus Alinen. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound OL from Pori has quietly become one of the most talked-about risers in camp. Defensive lineman LT Overton, now a vocal leader on the other side of the ball, pulled back the curtain during a recent appearance on the “Hey Coach” show. “[I’ve] seen great improvement [from him],” Overton said. “He’s been a big factor so far since them guys [Kadyn Proctor] been out.” That kind of praise doesn’t come lightly in Alabama’s culture, where iron sharpens iron and reps in practice mean everything. For Overton, who felt he left too much on the table last season, giving credit to an emerging offensive lineman signals respect earned through battles in the trenches.
Alinen isn’t just big—he’s nimble, adaptable, and soaking up every rep like a sponge. Despite being listed as a tackle, the redshirt sophomore has taken snaps across the line, flashing a versatility that could mirror what Geno VanDeMark brought to the Tide in 2024. The staff has been experimenting with him at both guard and tackle, banking on his massive frame and high football IQ to cover gaps while Proctor mends. That’s not just a stopgap move. That’s chess, not checkers. And it’s working. Alinen has appeared in 17 games, albeit without a start, but 2025 is setting up to be his breakout year. And maybe more.
Even Wilkin Formby, a 2023 classmate and another towering figure in the room, was quick to shine the spotlight in his teammate’s direction. “I think Olaus (Alinen) has stepped up. He’s playing in a different position,” Formby said. “He’s been playing a lot of tackle that he hasn’t necessarily been comfortable playing, but he’s doing a good job being where the coaches need him.” That’s telling. Formby, who’s played in 12 games and logged three starts, knows the grind and expectations in Alabama’s OL room. For him to highlight Alinen’s ability to shift between roles in a system as demanding as Kalen DeBoer’s speaks volumes.
The O-line was always going to be a focal point for Kalen DeBoer as he transitioned from the Pac-12 to the SEC meat grinder. Protecting the QB1—whoever ultimately wins that job—is non-negotiable. And it’s not just about holding blocks. It’s about communication, pocket shaping, and reacting to complex blitz packages. Alinen’s leap this spring isn’t just about size and reps. It’s about mental growth. He’s positioning himself as one of the most valuable swingmen on the roster.
While much of the outside noise swirls around who replaces Jalen Milroe, DeBoer has made it clear that none of that matters if the protection breaks down.
Keelon Russell is ‘killing it’—and Kalen DeBoer is definitely noticing
The QB1 competition in Tuscaloosa is heating up, and one name that’s starting to buzz a little louder is true freshman Keelon Russell. While Ty Simpson and Austin Mack are the veterans in this battle to replace Milroe, Russell’s been turning heads with each passing rep.
After Alabama’s second spring scrimmage this past weekend, head coach Kalen DeBoer couldn’t help but rave about the 5-star newcomer. “Keelon definitely works in with the two’s, he’ll get one reps from time to time. That’s no indication of really where we feel he’s at, he’s killing it,” DeBoer said. “He’s doing a great job. You can see when he’s out there, he’s getting more and more comfortable moving the ball down the field.”
Of course, there’s still a learning curve. DeBoer acknowledged that “those other two guys lived it more as far as understanding the offense,” which naturally gives them a bit of an edge in the playbook department. Still, don’t be shocked if Russell finds his way onto the field this fall. With talent like his, the Tide might just have a future star simmering beneath the surface.
The post Alabama May Have Found Kadyn Proctor’s Replacement as Kalen DeBoer Breaks Silence on Jalen Milroe’s Potential Successor appeared first on EssentiallySports.