Can Alabama’s Offensive Line Become Dominant Enough to Win the Joe Moore Award in College Football’s 2025 Season?
The Alabama Crimson Tide football program has long been a standard-bearer for excellence in college football. Under former head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide became synonymous with dominance in the trenches, routinely churning out NFL talent, particularly along the offensive line. With the Joe Moore Award—presented annually to the most outstanding offensive line unit in college football—as a high-profile accolade, the question now arises: can Alabama’s current offensive line reclaim its place among the elite and win the award in the upcoming 2025 season?
To answer this question, one must consider not only the raw talent present on the roster but also the coaching transition, the expectations under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, and the performance standards that past Joe Moore Award winners have set. Alabama is entering a new era, but one that still demands excellence. And if that tradition of excellence is to continue, it will start with the offensive line.
Alabama last won the Joe Moore Award in 2020, a season marked by near-perfection. That unit, anchored by All-Americans like Landon Dickerson and Alex Leatherwood, bulldozed opposing defenses and protected Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith and quarterback Mac Jones with elite consistency. That line set the bar high, and since then, Alabama’s offensive line has seen ups and downs, facing criticism in certain seasons for subpar run-blocking and occasional breakdowns in pass protection. With Saban’s retirement and DeBoer stepping in, the Tide face a new challenge: restoring dominance up front in an era of transition.
However, DeBoer is no stranger to building strong offenses. At Washington, his offensive units were among the best in the country, showcasing exceptional line play and quarterback development. In fact, his 2023 Washington offensive line was a Joe Moore Award finalist, which bodes well for his ability to develop Alabama’s front five. The combination of his offensive mind and Alabama’s recruiting pipeline could be the perfect storm to craft a line worthy of national recognition.
One of the most critical factors in the Tide’s Joe Moore Award chances is the raw talent available. Alabama consistently recruits top-tier offensive linemen, and this year is no different. Names like Kadyn Proctor, who re-committed to Alabama after a short stint with Iowa, headline a group that is big, athletic, and hungry. Proctor, a former five-star recruit, has all the tools to become a first-round NFL Draft pick. His combination of size, mobility, and physicality makes him a cornerstone left tackle—exactly the kind of player who can anchor an award-winning line.
In addition to Proctor, Alabama boasts other key returners and emerging stars. Tyler Booker, one of the SEC’s best guards, brings experience and toughness to the interior. Booker is not only technically sound but brings leadership qualities that help unify the group. He’s been battle-tested against elite SEC defensive fronts and shown he can hold his own. JC Latham’s departure to the NFL creates a gap on the right side, but Alabama’s depth should fill the void, especially with promising young players pushing for starting roles during fall camp.
Development and continuity are also key ingredients in winning the Joe Moore Award. In past years, Alabama’s line has suffered from injuries and frequent shuffling, which hindered cohesion. But early reports out of Tuscaloosa suggest this group has had a strong offseason, building chemistry and consistency in both run and pass schemes. Offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, brought over from Washington by DeBoer, is well-regarded for his ability to maximize talent and teach physical, smart football. His work at Washington was crucial to the Huskies’ College Football Playoff run, and now he brings that same philosophy to the SEC.
The Joe Moore Award isn’t just about individual talent—it celebrates units that play as one. It rewards offensive lines that show communication, physicality, and sustained dominance against top-tier competition. In that regard, Alabama’s schedule will offer ample opportunities to prove itself. Facing defenses like Georgia, LSU, and even a resurgent Texas A&M will give the Tide plenty of chances to put dominant performances on film. If they can control the line of scrimmage in those matchups, the Joe Moore Award committee will take notice.
Another important factor is Alabama’s quarterback situation. A strong offensive line is often reflected in the quarterback’s performance. If Alabama’s signal caller—whether it’s Jalen Milroe or a younger talent stepping up—has time to throw and can operate efficiently, it will shine a spotlight on the offensive line’s contributions. Protecting the quarterback and creating lanes for running backs like Justice Haynes and Richard Young will be essential. If Alabama is averaging over five yards per carry and limiting sacks, it will reflect well on the offensive line unit.
There’s also the motivation factor. After a turbulent offseason marked by Saban’s retirement and questions about the program’s future, Alabama’s linemen have a chip on their shoulders. They’re not just playing to uphold tradition—they’re playing to silence doubters. The desire to re-establish Alabama as the most physical team in the country could be the emotional fuel that pushes the offensive line to new heights.
Of course, competition for the Joe Moore Award will be fierce. Programs like Michigan, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Oregon have built reputations for elite offensive line play in recent years. Michigan, in particular, has won the award multiple times in the past five seasons and consistently returns large, experienced linemen with cohesion. To stand out among such competition, Alabama will need not just to be good, but dominant—and do so consistently throughout the season.
The Joe Moore Award committee also looks for lines that improve as the season progresses, so Alabama’s development arc will matter. Early games against teams like Wisconsin and South Carolina will be tests, but it will be how this line looks in November—against LSU, Auburn, and possibly in the SEC Championship—that will determine their candidacy.
Injuries could always play a role. Depth is one of Alabama’s strengths, but losing key starters could derail continuity and cohesion. If the line can stay healthy and develop rhythm, it has all the tools to be among the final candidates for the Joe Moore Award. Consistency in technique, communication, and aggressiveness will be the measuring sticks.
Finally, there’s the intangible of leadership. Past award-winning lines often had one or two players who served as the emotional and strategic leaders of the group—players who held their teammates accountable and set the tone in games and practices. Tyler Booker seems primed to be that kind of leader for this Alabama line. His vocal presence and high football IQ could be the glue that keeps the line playing as one cohesive unit.
So, can Alabama’s offensive line win the Joe Moore Award in 2025? The short answer: yes. The longer answer requires understanding the pieces in place and the challenges ahead. With elite talent like Proctor and Booker, a proven developer in coach Kapilovic, and a head coach in Kalen DeBoer who emphasizes offensive execution, Alabama’s line has the potential to rise to the top of college football.
But potential alone won’t cut it. The Joe Moore Award goes to units that prove it on the field—against the best teams, in the biggest moments. For Alabama, the opportunity is there. The expectations are massive, the path is demanding, but the Crimson Tide offensive line has everything it needs to dominate again. If they seize that opportunity and impose their will in the trenches from Week 1 to the postseason, don’t be surprised if Alabama is once again holding up the trophy honoring the best offensive line in college football.
