Kendall Randolph details his comfort level with playing multiple positions
Alabama sixth-year senior Kendall Randolph is a tight end. Or an offensive guard. Or an offensive tackle. The truth is, where Randolph lines up really depends on what the Crimson Tide needs of him.
Randolph provides versatility for Alabama upfront, able to line up in multiple slots. And for him, it’s really about getting on the field and doing what he can, no matter what.
“Well, ultimately I just want to be able to help my team in any way possible,” Randolph said. “If that’s at tight end, if that’s at guard or tackle, I just want to be in a position and ready at any moment to get a job done.”
Randolph has spent a significant amount of time at guard in fall camp and was asked if the position has become a comfort area for him.
“I wouldn’t say that it’s a comfort area,” Randolph said, “like ultimately, I’ve trained at guard and tackle, I’ve trained at tight end. So just being able to play Alabama football is the biggest goal.”
One of the quirky challenge the multi-position role creates is needing to change numbers every so often. Randolph starts the game wearing No. 85, but will swap in to jersey No. 60 in a pinch. But it’s not always straight forward when you’re that big.
“Yeah it takes a couple of people to help me out, but it’s a process,” Randolph said. “And I’m happy to just help, get out there.”
Kendall Randolph gets his share of grandpa jokes as a sixth-year player
Randolph’s sixth-year senior status makes him comfortably one of the old men of the team — among the players, at least. (Alabama head coach Nick Saban is approaching his 71st birthday this fall.) Still, grandpa jokes are only natural and Randolph is fine with being on the receiving end.
“So the grandpa jokes,” Randolph said after being asked recently, “That’s pretty funny because I do hear that sometimes. And I’m not offended by it, because at the end of the day, we are all here grinding for the same reason. And we all want to keep pushing to make it to the highest level possible. So, you know, six years ago I would say that I just saw myself being in the position to continue what I — keep on striving toward my dreams.”