Nick Saban praises Tyler Booker’s development at offensive guard

Alabama coach Nick Saban is impressed with what he’s seen from true freshman offensive lineman Tyler Booker this season. A five-star recruit, Booker has already carved out a role for himself at the guard spot, playing in all seven games.

Booker leads the team with 18 knockdown blocks so far and has allowed just one sack in 181 snaps. With the Crimson Tide on bye this week, Saban spoke about Booker’s development this season in the weekly SEC coaches teleconference.

“He has played very well for us,” the coach said. “We play him quite a bit and kind of rotate through guards in the game because we think we have three starters at that position. So he’s made really good improvement and we’re really pleased with his progress.”

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Booker was listed as an offensive tackle coming out of high school, where he ranked as the No. 3 player at his position according to On3 Consensus. However, guard is where the Crimson Tide have needed him most this season, and he seems to be doing well with the transition.

He has helped paved the way for an Alabama rushing attack that ranks No. 1 in the country with 6.6 yards per carry this season. The Crimson Tide also rank fourth in the country with 45 points per game and are giving up just 1.43 sacks per game.

Based on Tyler Booker’s production so far, it seems he has a bright future in Nick Saban’s offense. He has played a reserve role this year, rotating in at both the left and right guard spots, but if he keeps it up he could play his way into a starting spot as soon as next season.

Booker will hope to continue his impressive play once Alabama comes out of the bye week to face LSU at 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 5 in Baton Rouge.