Nick Saban provides update on health of Alabama football offensive line and DB DeMarcco Hellams
Alabama football coach Nick Saban had good news about the offensive line Monday: It’s healthy overall ahead of the opener.
“The offensive line is all back intact,” Alabama football coach Nick Saban said.
This comes after Kendall Randolph, who is listed as the starter at right tackle on the depth chart released Monday, had sprained his ankle earlier in the preseason.
Free safety DeMarcco Hellams also sprained his ankle in August, and he is still recovering. Saban said he will start running Monday.
“He is still probably questionable for this game,” Saban said. “I can’t answer whether he’ll be available for the game or not”
Hellams is listed as the starter with Brian Branch at the free safety spot next to Jordan Battle.
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Hellams took over for Daniel Wright late in the 2020 season. In the Rose Bowl against Notre Dame, Hellams tallied 12 tackles. He also started in the national championship game against Ohio State.
Right tackle is one position that Saban said during preseason practices was open for competition along with center. Five-star freshman JC Latham received playing time with the first group while Randolph missed time, but Randolph appears to have his chance to be back with the starters after returning from injury if the depth chart is any indication.
“We’ve had some injuries in the offensive line so we haven’t always had the same group together which the good thing about that is as you get more experienced for other guys who may have to play,” Saban said. “The bad news is those guys didn’t get to play together quite as much.”
At every position but center, only one starter is listed: Evan Neal at left tackle, Javion Cohen at left guard, Emil Ekiyor Jr. at right guard and Randolph at right tackle. At center, Chris Owens and Darrian Dalcourt are both listed in the top spot.
Owens stepped in at center late last season for an injured Landon Dickerson, and Owens helped the Crimson Tide win a national championship. Dalcourt was designated as the backup center throughout the 2020 season.
Saban said he is confident in the group and the active, aggressive front Miami has will reveal where the Alabama offensive line is at in terms of progress and cohesiveness.
But the biggest progress the Alabama offensive line has made is that it’s fully intact, an important first step toward overall success.
