Quarterbacks and skill players grab headlines in college football, but for some SEC teams, the real story is in the trenches. Spring practice offers the first look into whether a team can hold its own up front.
Here’s what to watch for these four teams — all of which have high expectations but questions on the offensive line:
Alabama
After one of the least productive rushing seasons in program history, Alabama enters spring practice with questions along the offensive line. Michael Carroll returns at right tackle for 2026, but several transfers will compete to fill out the rest of the unit.
Cal Poly transfer Racin Delgatty, an interior lineman, and tackle Jackson Lloyd have stood out in early practices. In his March 12 news conference, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb praised both: “Racin Delgatty has been doing an awesome job at center. He’s really taken the reins quickly, but Jackson Lloyd’s really stood out as a guy we’re going to be really excited about as our left tackle.”
The unit may not be fully developed for the April 11 A-Day spring game, but early signs point to noticeable improvement heading into the fall.
Ole Miss
With one of the most dynamic backfield tandems returning, Ole Miss has the pieces to field an elite offense in 2026. Brycen Sanders anchors the interior, alongside guards Patrick Kutas and Delano Townsend, but replacing Diego Pounds at left tackle remains a key offseason challenge.
Pounds was outstanding at left tackle in 2025, only allowing 16 pressures on 583 passing snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. His departure leaves a significant void, but head coach Pete Golding has turned to the portal to address it.
Former LSU tackle Carius Curne arrives in Oxford after ranking as the No. 2 offensive tackle in 247Sports’ 2026 portal rankings and is expected to compete immediately for a starting role. If Curne can provide stability on the edge, the Rebels’ offensive ceiling rises considerably.
Texas A&M
With only one returning starter from 2025, Texas A&M’s offensive line rebuild hinges on a wave of big-name transfers. Mark Nabou Jr. will return as the center while the rest of the line is new to the A&M uniform.
Four-star transfer tackles Tyree Adams (LSU) and Wilkin Formby (Alabama), along with interior offensive lineman Coen Echols (LSU), round out a talented transfer portal class and could play right away.
The question won’t be talent with this group, but rather how quickly it can develop chemistry and play together as a cohesive unit.
Auburn
Auburn enters a complete rebuild this spring, replacing all five starters from the 2025 offensive line. First-year Tigers head coach Alex Golesh turned to the transfer portal to rebuild and bring a physical group to the Plains.
In his Feb 6 news conference, Golesh said, “I’ve prayed a lot about it. If there’s one position I’m praying about, it’s the O-line.”
The Tigers added offensive lineman Cole Best, who has experience with the Golesh offense at South Florida; former USF QB Byrum Brown has joined the Tigers, too. Stanton Ramil (Michigan State) and Jo Simmons (JMU) were brought in to compete for playing time at each tackle position.
Auburn’s offensive line must not only learn a new system but also learn to play together. Every rep from now through August is critical.
Spring practice is the first test, but the real proof will come in the fall. For these SEC teams, the offensive line could be the difference between good and elite.
