Ryan Grubb Gives Answers to Left Guard Switch Against ECU

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama offensive coordinator gave an update pertaining to the sudden switch at the left guard spot during Saturday's game against the ECU Pirates. Get our free mobile app GET OUR FREE MOBILE APP Leading up to the start of the season, the biggest question surrounding the Tide was the offensive line and the inexperience that followed. Sophomore Michael Carroll was the only returning lineman from last season after taking over as the starter at right tackle and then making the switch to right guard this offseason. Carroll went into this season as the only checkmark on the offensive line as the right guard, with question marks as the offseason went on; answers began to come with Jackson Lloyd getting the nod at left tackle, and Racin Delgatty taking over at center. William Sanders and Mal Waldrep Jr. carried a battle for the left guard spot, while Texas transfer Nick Brooks and Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James competed for the right tackle spot. Alabama released its depth chart ahead of its game against the ECU Pirates on Friday morning; William Sanders got the nod at left guard. Coming out of the half, fans could notice it was not Sanders at left guard but Mal Waldrep Jr., who started the second half. On Monday morning, Grubb announced that Sanders was dealing with an oblique injury. "Will was dealing with a little bit of an oblique, and so, trying to help him out to get through the game, he had battled through it all week, and he's doing great now," Grubb said. "But we knew we had a guy now that had taken a lot of reps with the ones all camp. So I felt good about getting both those guys out there and getting reps. Certainly would've loved to see Will finish out the game. He came back out there. But we'd like to keep the lineup as consistent as possible." Ryan Bond is an intern for Tide 100.9 with an avid interest in college football and college basketball. To keep up with Ryan, follow him on X at @Ryanb5172 Alabama's 48-10 Victory Over East Carolina in the 2026 Season Opener Alabama's Final Practice of Fall Camp 2026 Gallery Credit: Wyatt Fulton