The offensive line has been a glaring weakness for the Crimson Tide in recent seasons, culminating in a dismal performance that contributed to the program’s embarrassing 38-3 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Despite Alabama’s storied history of dominance in the trenches, the current unit has struggled with inconsistency, poor run blocking, and an inability to sustain drives—issues that trace back to scheme fit, development, and coaching.
The finger points squarely at offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, who has been on staff since early 2024. Kapilovic, a veteran coach with prior stops at Michigan State and elsewhere, was brought in to revamp the line for DeBoer’s system, which demands more athleticism and mobility than the traditional pro-style approach under Nick Saban. Yet, the results have been underwhelming: heavy rotations due to injuries and poor play, a porous run game (averaging under 110 yards per game at times), and a failure to develop cohesion. Alabama fans and analysts have openly called for his dismissal, especially after the Rose Bowl debacle where Indiana’s line dominated for 215 rushing yards.
High school offensive linemen notice these things. Recruiting in the trenches is about more than NIL dollars—it’s about fit, development, and winning in the big games. Top prospects see Alabama’s line getting pushed around and question whether the coaching will prepare them for NFL success or even SEC battles. Some commits have flipped or decommitted (like 4-star IOL Samuel Utu in late 2025), and others hesitate because the program is still transitioning players recruited for a different scheme. Money flows freely in Tuscaloosa, but if the line coach isn’t delivering, elite talent looks elsewhere to places with proven trench success.
DeBoer has prioritized high school recruiting overall, landing a strong 2026 class ranked in the top tiers with several OL pledges like 4-star Chris Booker, Jared Doughty, and others. But the portal has been a mixed bag for OL help, with misses on key targets and ongoing overhauls due to departures (like Kadyn Proctor and Parker Brailsford to the NFL). Until Kapilovic is replaced with someone who can truly implement DeBoer’s vision—lighter, quicker linemen who excel in space—the recruiting momentum for big bodies could stall. The staff has flipped some like Bear Fretwell, but the perception lingers.
The entire fanbase is frustrated after back-to-back underwhelming seasons in the trenches, with calls growing louder for change. DeBoer has improved the program in other areas—reaching the SEC title game and CFP—but the line remains the Achilles’ heel. Firing Kapilovic would send a clear message: Alabama is serious about reclaiming physical dominance up front. Prospects want to join a program where the trenches are elite, not a question mark.
Bottom line: NIL is abundant, facilities are world-class, and the brand is unmatched. But until Kalen DeBoer makes the tough call on his offensive line coach, top O-linemen will keep looking for programs where the big uglies are truly developed and dominant. Fix the line, fix the recruiting. Roll Tide needs to roar again in the trenches. 🏈🐘
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