One of the most intriguing discussions of Alabama beginning the rebuilding of its football team in the spring has been along the offensive line, where only center Bradley Bozeman has departed from the 2017 national championship Crimson Tide.

Although it is just one of the five positions with a vacancy, there have been any number scenarios put forward as to how the Bama line might be reshuffled, and several of those involve Jonah Williams.

Williams, a 6-5, 305-pound upcoming junior, has made one move in his Tide career. In his first season he was a Freshman All-America at right tackle. When Cam Robinson moved on to the NFL last year, Williams moved to the position he had always played, left tackle.

Jonah Williams is chasing perfection in spring practice

In the national championship game against Georgia, Williams went out with an injury, thought at the time to be a leg injury. As it turns out, as he revealed prior to Bama’s Thursday practice, it was more than that. In addition to a high ankle sprain, Williams also suffered a ruptured deltoid (shoulder muscle) and was unable to return.

In his place, true freshman Alex Leatherwood stepped in and performed well.

The early work in spring practice has had senior Ross Pierschbacher, a three-year starter at left guard, working at center (where he also practiced through the spring and fall camp in 2016).

There has been a thought that Williams might be tried at center. He hasn’t worked there at Alabama, but what about in high school. “I’ve never taken a snap at center,” he said.

He also pointed out that Pierschbacher “is doing a great job. We’re fortunate to have a guy after Boze leaves that can step in at center. He’s got four years of experience, he played center two years ago the whole offseason so I think he definitely brings a lot of leadership to that position.”

Speculation also has had it that Williams might move back to his right tackle spot. He said that couldn’t be ruled out, “but I’m very comfortable playing left tackle. I haven’t taken a snap elsewhere in two years. So I’m comfortable playing there, I enjoy playing there. I think I had a good season last year, but I’m a harsh critic and I know there’s a ton I can improve on.”

The speculation of a Williams move was in part because of the good job Leatherwood did in the comeback overtime win over Georgia while Williams could only watch.

“I’m super-proud of Leatherwood being able to go out there and hold his own and for the line to be able to take over the game a little bit,” Williams said. “I’m proud of him. He’s made a lot of improvement since he first got here. He’s a guy I think has his head on right and I’d be surprised if he didn’t find a way to contribute along the line this year. I definitely think he has a bright future.”

Williams said that the early spring work has not included “a crazy amount of shuffling so far. We’re kind of all working on our different positions. The ultimate goal is obviously to get the five best out there, so however that falls out is how it’s going pan out.”

While he’s looking ahead, he also remembers Alabama’s last game.

“It was tough,” he said of being on the sideline. “I’m proud of Tua (Tagovailoa) for coming out and having a great game. All those guys, the whole offense and the defense stepped up. So watching it from that perspective, super proud of the team.

“But it’s hard to not be out there playing. That’s been a big motivation for me . I want to make the most out of the opportunity when I get it in the fall; not leave anything out there, because you never know when it’s your last play. There are things I wish I could have done differently. And that was my first time missing snaps here. That’s what I’m thinking about going forward, making the most on every play, leaving my impact.”

Thus far he said spring practice “is going well. I like the spring because it’s a time you can really focus on the fine tuning and the details. We’re not really game planning for an opponent; we’re just working on ourselves and trying to eliminate mistakes and improve the fundamentals. I enjoy that aspect of the game.

“I get motivated by watching the film the night before, or after that practice, because like I said, I’m my harshest critic. I might have a great play, but I’m like, ‘Man, my left hand was outside. I need to get that inside.’

“So I’ll get excited the next day about how on this play, I’m going to get both my hands inside.

“And it’s really minute, just little details that I delve into. But for me, that keeps me motivated because there’s so many small things to get better at. I don’t play because of anger against other teams, I play because I want to be the best I can be.”

As for those areas where he’s looking to improve?

“I think obviously generating more movement in the run game, keeping my hands inside, generating more power,” he said. “I’ve gained probably 12-15 pounds since the end of last year and I’m continuing to do that and build my strength so I can be a powerful player, as well as an athletic one. I think that being a little more physical in pass protection.

“Improving on doesn’t mean I did a bad job of it. It just means I know I could do so much better, and that’s what motivates me — chasing that perfection.”

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