Kalen DeBoer Updates Status of Parker Brailsford Before Alabama Football Spring Game

Brailsford has been absent for much of spring practice after transferring in from Washington.

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies offensive lineman Parker Brailsford (72) against / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football will hold its final spring scrimmage on Saturday, where fans will be in attendance to see many of the Crimson Tide's new players for the 2024 season.

One player fans likely won't get to see is Washington transfer center Parker Brailsford. During his Thursday press conference, head coach Kalen DeBoer updated the status of Brailsford who has been away from the team for much the spring.

"Right now I wouldn't plan on him being [there], just with the limited practice that he's had throughout the spring," DeBoer said. "He didn't practice today, so I wouldn't be putting him in that spot. He'll be with us here sooner than later, he came to regular workouts, he's doing all the things to make sure he's ready to go."

Brailsford was considered one of the best players in the winter transfer portal window, coming over from Washington after being the starting center on the Huskies' Joe Moore Awardw-winning offensive line this past season.

Alabama has an unresolved competition at center after last year's starter Seth McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State. With Brailsford's absence, James Brockermeyer has been working with the starters along the offensive line this spring.

Earlier this spring, DeBoer confirmed that Brailsford's absence was a personal matter, not related to a desire to leave the team.

“Parker’s just going through some non-football related things and he’s going to be with us,” DeBoer said last week. “He’s working out with our strength staff and has done a great job there. He hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s nothing like that. He’s working hard. He’s gonna be ready to go sooner than later. It’s not a transfer thing or anything like that.”