On paper, Alabama’s 2023 roster took a hit in the offseason when five offensive linemen transferred out of Tuscaloosa. Along with those that graduated or entered the NFL Draft, Saban admitted in his first press conference in March that depth in the trenches was the “number one thing.”

About halfway through its spring practices, the Crimson Tide has gotten a glimpse at what its offensive line could look like this fall.

“I want us to be ruthless,” junior JC Latham said. “I want guys to every time we line up and get ready to hike the ball, I want them to be scared of us. I want them to understand that we’re going to hit them in the mouth every single play, ready to go four quarters.”

A piece of that new-look unit could feature grad-student Darrian Dalcourt, formerly a center, at guard. He spoke to the media on Wednesday and explained how a fifth year with Alabama allows him to make up for a few injury-riddled seasons and earn his master’s degree. To maximize his value on the field, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Dalcourt is trying to add a new position to his repertoire, he said. His experience could be needed as three of Alabama’s leading options at guard last year, Kendall Randolph, Javion Cohen and Emil Ekiyor Jr. are now out of Tuscaloosa.

Of the 15 currently rostered offensive linemen, only four have started a game before, including three from last year’s starting group: Seth McLaughlin, Latham and Tyler Booker. Coach Eric Wolford brought in five prospects as part of Alabama’s No. 1 recruiting class, including a potential early-impact player in Kadyn Proctor.

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Along with freshman Miles McVay — who’s the star of a one-handed pancake-block video that’s been viewed 34,000 times on Twitter — there’s a group of players that the Tide is hoping develops before Week 1 against Middle Tennessee.

Other first-year players include Anniston’s Roq Montgomery, Northridge’s Wilkin Formby and Olauss Alinen from Finland. Booker, listed at 6-foot-5, 335 pounds, provides a bit of a template for a first-year player coming in and earning a role. Booker was named to the All-SEC Freshman team, joining the starting lineup in the Sugar Bowl against Kansas State at left guard.

“I think the main message from (OL) coach (Eric) Wolford is getting back to that intensity, that nastiness that we always had as an offensive line. I think in his second year, he’s gotten more comfortable and guys have gotten more comfortable with him,” Dalcourt said.

Wolford’s first year as offensive line coach saw the Tide finish seventh in rushing yards in the SEC and conceded 22 sacks, tied for 45th-fewest in Division I. That includes Terrence Ferguson II, a redshirt sophomore that appeared in five games and Elijah Pritchett, a redshirt freshman that earned some snaps late in the year.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].