Story by
The Tuscaloosa News
Why Jaeden Roberts, Geno VanDeMark split reps on Alabama football's offensive line
- Story byThe Tuscaloosa News
- Why Jaeden Roberts, Geno VanDeMark split reps on Alabama football's offensive line
The Alabama football offensive line remained intact for much of Saturday's 27-25 win against South Carolina .
Center Parker Brailsford , left tackle Kadyn Proctor , left guard Tyler Booker and right tackle Elijah Pritchett played all 63 snaps for the Crimson Tide against the Gamecocks , per Pro Football Focus. The only change? Right guard.
Advertisement
Jaeden Roberts , an Alabama fourth-year junior who took over the starting right guard spot in Week 6 of the 2023 season against Texas A&M , had 37 snaps against South Carolina — 13 more than he had against Vanderbilt Oct. 5. Geno VanDeMark , a Michigan State transfer, also played 26 snaps at right guard against the Gamecocks after sharing snaps with Roberts against the Commodores .
On the SEC football coaches weekly teleconference, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said the split reps between Roberts and VanDeMark has been "an ongoing thing, really, most of the season." But DeBoer said it comes down to VanDeMark's production.
"We feel good about both of them," DeBoer said. "Because of Geno continuing to improve and all of that, he's gotten out there and I think he's done a better and better job in each and every week he's had the opportunity. It just goes back to just early in the season when we had some different things rotationally. Geno's a guy that can play, really, any of the three positions interior wise. He gets a lot of work in in practice and I think he's just improved a lot, so feel good when he's out there that he will help our team win."
As Alabama prepared for South Carolina, Crimson Tide offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic said Roberts was "playing through some things that I don't know that most people would."
Advertisement
"There are a few things (with Roberts). He's dealing with a few things," Kapilovic said. "He's living in the training room doing everything he can do. He's not going to look for a place to hide. I've got to do a good job as a coach to protect him sometimes and know what's best for him and the team."
Sep 7, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts (77) runs down the field after blocking upfront on a long touchdown run by Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller (26) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated South Florida 42-16. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Against South Carolina, Roberts was Alabama's lowest-rated pass blocker per PFF, and allowed one sack and one pressure. VanDeMark did not allow a sack, hit, hurry or pressure.
Alabama will play Tennessee at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday on ABC from Neyland Stadium.
Advertisement
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Why Jaeden Roberts, Geno VanDeMark split reps on Alabama football's O-line
