The former tackle is finding his edge on the interior, embracing a move to guard that promises to restore the Crimson Tide’s physical identity and former dominant rushing attack.
Michael Carroll was supposed to be Alabama's right tackle. Now, he's embracing life at guard.
Before coming onto campus, Carroll had made it clear that he wanted to play tackle. During the middle of the season, he had overtaken Wilkin Formby as the starting right tackle, and excelled.
During the middle of the season, he overtook Wilkin Formby as the starting right tackle and held his own in six starts. Carroll allowed four sacks and six hurries during that stretch, according to PFF, while posting a 71.4 pass-blocking grade and 65.3 run-blocking grade.
However, things changed.
After the season, the Alabama staff had shifted Carroll to the interior, a move that he accepted for the betterment of the team.
Currently, OurLads still has Carroll listed as a right tackle, but that should change sooner than later.
Which means it opens up the door for right tackle Ty Haywood, a transfer out of Michigan or true freshman Jared Doughty to run with the starting right tackle spot in a full-blown competition.
Even though he preferred to play tackle, shifting to guard just may have been the best thing for him – not just the team.
"I'm kind of starting to love it a little bit," he said. "That's what the coaches are seeing from me on film. 'You're starting to love it, aren't you?'"
Carroll was renowned coming out of high school with his “business-like” mentality and a serious edge to his game. Shifting to guard could end up bringing out that edge even more.
"I feel like just the physicality of it," he responded. "Honestly, I'm getting that back in my mindset. I'm like, this is actually fun. You can just bury dudes and run them off the ball with your center and your tackle. I'm just loving the physicality of it."
Real football guy.
An improvement in the offensive trenches is needed for the Crimson Tide, after having one of their worst rushing seasons since the 1950s. The belief is that Carroll can come in and create space towards the center of the field.
Pair Carroll's size with the edge he brings to the field, and Alabama may have found a player capable of bringing some much-needed physicality to the interior of its offensive line.
