TUSCALOOSA, Ala. _ While most of the attention has been on the quarterbacks, there’s quietly been another offensive position in which two University of Alabama players are competing to start.
It’s at right guard. Senior Leon Brown and sophomore Alphonse Taylor essentially did a rotation against West Virginia after Brown made the last-second start on Saturday night.
“I think both the guys at right guard played okay,” Coach Nick Saban said. “We think both guys can improve and play better.”
Brown made his first career start for Alabama in the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma after Anthony Steen underwent shoulder surgery. He was considered the starter throughout the spring, but sustained a foot injury just before the start of training camp.
Taylor appeared to work with the first unit right up until Saturday’s game. He was more in the mix after Brown was flagged twice for holding on the same drive and then again for a false start.
On Monday, Taylor was with the first unit during the observation period for reporters, however Saban has spoken more more about Brown and junior-college transfer Dominick Jackson’s potential for making an impact this season.
Jackson sustained a high ankle sprain during Alabama’s first scrimmage of the fall and was a reserve tackle against the Mountaineers.
Meanwhile, the immediate reviews of true freshman Cam Robinson making his first start at left tackle were favorable.
“Cam did a really good, considering he is a freshman and it was his first game he has ever played in college,” Saban said. “There were some things he can do better, and there were a couple mental errors that he made, but we were really, really encouraged with how he played, where he is.”
Robinson was the first non-special teams player to start for Alabama as a true freshman since Julio Jones in 2008.
“Cam was very poised,” senior left guard Arie Kouandjio, who last year played alongside his brother, Cyrus.
“I think the line performed pretty well. It was our first time out there playing together as a unit, so it was good to see what we came up with. We always have room for improvement, especially since it is the first week, the first time we played with each other.”
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
