Darrian Dalcourt is in unfamiliar territory. After starting sixteen games for Alabama football at center the past two seasons and battling through injuries in 2022, he opted to stick around for his final season of eligibility.

At guard.

During the spring, Dalcourt said he was learning the position, but still making mistakes. On Thursday, he said he was continuing to improve.

“Spring was the first time,” Dalcourt said. “Summer was the next step and camp was the next step in that. I feel like I’ve gotten more comfortable in every aspect. The more you do something, the better you get at it. I’ve definitely gotten more comfortable.”

Obviously the biggest difference between the two spots is that guards don’t have to snap the ball. Beyond that, the timing of the two positions is different, with the center taking on a defender more immediately.

According to Dalcourt, that’s been the biggest adjustment.

“The football aspect, playing off the ball is a little different for me,” Dalcourt said. “When you’re a center, you’re on level zero. Not a lot of separation between you and the defender. I think the biggest difference playing off the ball is I have a little bit more time before engaging with the defender.”

The Alabama offensive line is going through a bit of a shakeup this season. The biggest question comes at left tackle, where Kadyn Proctor and Elijah Pritchett are battling it out.

Tyler Booker has moved to the left guard spot, while Dalcourt is mostly inhabiting the right side. Meanwhile Seth McLaughlin and JC Latham are continuing in their center and right tackle slots respectively.

According to Dalcourt, the new-look group has continued to improve throughout camp.

“I think from the spring to the summer to the season so far with camp, we’ve developed how we wanted to,” he said. ” We’ve set goals out to get tougher. So far we’ve done that.”

Alabama opens the 2023 season on Sept. 2, against Middle Tennessee State.

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