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Among the many starting spots the Alabama Crimson Tide will be actively locking down during the spring practice window is at center – where Parker Brailsford played last season before declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Open competition at the center spot continued Thursday, with Racin Delgatty and Kaden Strayhorn battling to determine who will anchor the Crimson Tide offensive line. And after the session, Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb met with the media Thursday to discuss the Crimson Tide offense and mentioned how strong Delgatty has looked thus far.
“Racin Delgatty has been doing an awesome job at center,” Grubb said. “He’s really taken the reins quickly, so I’m excited to see him out there.”
Delgatty joined the Crimson Tide out of the transfer portal from Cal Poly, where he spent three seasons and started 11 games last season. returns only one starter along the offensive line from last season – right tackle Michael Carroll. Alabama’s situation at center became even more pressing when backup center Joseph Ionata hit the portal after last season’s 11-4 season.
Strayhorn, a transfer from Michigan, is still in the mix to rotate in at center in 2026. But both Grubb and head coach Kalen DeBoer have indicated since spring practice began March 8 that Delgatty has the inside track to earn the starting role.
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David Wasson
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.