Texas HC Steve Sarkisian's Comments on New Alabama OL

During the 2025 season, the Alabama Crimson Tide struggled along the offensive line. Alabama had the No. 15 rushing offense in the SEC, with an average of 104.1 rushing yards per game. The last-place team, the LSU Tigers, averaged 104 rushing yards per game.

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Alabama responded to the poor rushing season by making several notable moves both on the coaching staff and in the offensive line room. Alabama fired offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic after two seasons and replaced him with former Oregon, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm, who also played offensive line in the NFL from 2000 to 2005. In the offensive line room, Alabama lost four of its five starters from last season and lost a total of 11 offensive linemen from the 2025 roster. However, Alabama did add 11 total new offensive linemen via the transfer portal and the 2026 recruiting class, with all but two of them already on campus for spring practice.

One who is already on campus and working towards competing for a starting spot on the Tide's offensive line is former Texas offensive lineman Nick Brooks, who transferred to Alabama after spending his true freshman season with the Longhorns last year.

During the 2025 season, Brooks appeared in four games, making his collegiate debut against Sam Houston on September 20. He also started three games for Texas last season against Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Mississippi State.

After his start against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had high praise for the then-true freshman, who is listed at 6-foot-7 and 349 pounds on the Longhorns roster.

"I think he's in the best shape he's been in since he got here. He was over 360 pounds. We were in training camp, he was in the 350's," Sarkisian said of Brooks via Inside Texas. "This weekend, he was a shade over 330. He's getting in better shape, he's better conditioned."

Brooks played left guard for the Longhorns in the 23-6 victory over Oklahoma, helping hand the Sooners their first loss of the season. In that game, Texas's leading rusher was Quintrevion Wisner, who ended the day with 22 carries for 94 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. The Texas offensive line also allowed only one sack in that game on quarterback Arch Manning.

"He's playing between two really smart players in Trevor (Goosby) and Cole (Hutson)," Sarkisian said. "If he trusts those guys to make the calls, he's got the ability to go do it."

Brooks played at right tackle in garbage time during Texas's 55-0 win over Sam Houston last season. He then made back-to-back starts against Florida and Oklahoma at left guard. He made one more start at left guard against Mississippi State. He'll now compete for a starting spot on Alabama's roster, which is looking to replace six of its top seven offensive linemen from last season after Kadyn Proctor, Kam Dewberry, Geno VanDeMark, Jaeden Roberts, and Parker Brailsford declared for the NFL draft. Alabama also lost right guard Wilkin Formby to the transfer portal.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.