For Alabama Crimson Tide fans who have been waiting to see James Brockermeyer, a finalist for Mr. Football in Texas as a high school player, be a more permanent player on the offensive line, they might just get their chance.
Center Seth McLaughlin, a starter for the past season and a half, struggled with errant snaps against Michigan in the College Football Playoffs, has entered the transfer portal.
That could open the door for Brockermeyer, who played around 30 snaps for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season. Then again, Brockermeyer is the only scholarship center on the roster, as Terrence Ferguson II, who could have possibly been in line to get the job, also entered the portal. Ferguson started one game against South Florida in Week 3 and spent time dealing with a high-ankle sprain.
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Bad snaps hurt Alabama in loss to Michigan, James Brockermeyer could be the answer
McLaughlin started all 14 games with Alabama this season and eight games last season.
Alabama lost to the Michigan Wolverines 27-20 in the Rose Bowl and some of the big plays that stood out were bad snaps McLaughlin made to quarterback Jalen Milroe. One of those was on the final play of the game, a fourth down and Milroe was stopped trying to run up the middle.
McLaughlin also had two poor snaps on a drive early in the second half, a problem that had crept up multiple times during the season. One of those came on a third down play against Auburn in the Iron Bowl that set up a fourth-and-25 that Alabama converted in the final seconds to win the game.
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Alabama doesn’t lose a lot of players, especially guys who start. McLaughlin is the most high profile of more than 10 who entered the transfer portal so far, including wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks and quarterback Tyler Buchner, who entered as a lacrosse player.
Other Alabama players who entered the portal are defensive backs Earl Little Jr. and Kristian Story, defensive lineman Monkell Goodwine, wide receivers Malik Benson and Shazz Preston, tight end Miles Kitselman and quarterback Eli Holstein.
Perhaps, James Brockermeyer could be the answer to one of these holes. We’ll find out soon enough.