It's already that time again.

Only a few weeks after Alabama's 2015 season ended with a national title, spring practice looms once again. So to prepare you for the mid-March official kickoff of the 2016 season, we're taking a position by position look at what to expect in Nick Saban's 10th season as the Crimson Tide coach.

We start with the offensive line.

Departed

-- C Ryan Kelly 3-year starter, All-American, Rimington Award winner.

-- RT Dominick Jackson 1-year starter.

-- Isaac Luatua reserve.

Projected depth chart

-- RT: Charles Baldwin: JUCO transfer, enrolled for spring; Brandon Greene: split time with TE and OL; Korren Kirven: top reserve who started Charleston Southern game when Dominick Jackson was injured.

-- RG: Alphonse Taylor: Started all 15 games in 2015; Lester Cotton: Top reserve as freshman.

-- C: J.C. Hasssenauer: Top reserve for Kelly, entered Texas A&M game when Kelly was injured; Brandon Kennedy: redshirted in 2015.

-- LG: Ross Pierschbacher: Started all 15 games as redshirt freshman, named freshman All-SEC; Dallas Warmack: top reserve in 2015.

-- LT: Cam Robinson: Two-year starter, one of the top LTs in the nation, Lester Cotton: played in four games as a freshman, could be the future at LT after Robinson departs.

New in spring: Baldwin, Jonah Williams, Chris Owens

Arriving in the fall: Deonte Brown, Scott Lashley, Quinnen Williams

Outlook: This was a positional group with serious peaks and valleys in 2015. It was awarded the inaugural Joe Moore Aware as the nation's top offensive line. This group also paved the way for Derrick Henry's Heisman Trophy season. There were also occasional quarterback protection issues. It allowed 25 sacks after giving up just 16 a year earlier.

There are a few leadership changes to watch this spring. First, a new structure to the coaching staff will require serious adjustments. New assistant Brent Key will be coaching the center and guards while returning offensive line coach Mario Cristobal will take the tackles and tight ends. The exact reason for the change has not been fully explained, but it's fair to say this isn't a common move. The other change will come on the field. Ryan Kelly was the unquestioned leader of the offensive line in recent years. He was a quarterback of sorts up front when it came to making calls, changing protections, etc. J.C. Hasssenauer appears to be the heir apparent at center, so establishing himself as a strong voice in spring will be crucial.

Only one other starting job is without a returner. The departure of Dominick Jackson at right tackle means someone new will be in that spot for a third straight year. There's room for experimentation this spring as Charles Baldwin arrives as a five-star JUCO transfer rated among the best in the nation. Nick Saban rarely pursues a junior college player if he doesn't see the potential for an immediate impact. It will also be interesting to see if Lester Cotton gets a look at right tackle. He drew high marks from teammates in his first season at Alabama as a backup at left tackle. The addition of five-star freshman Jonah Williams will add competition at the tackle position in spring practice too.

Experience will come with returning starter Alphonse Taylor, Ross Pierschbacher and Cam Robinson. Injuries were an issue for Robinson in his second season, but he could be a top draft prospect with a dominant junior season at left tackle.

Also something to watch: How will a third straight season of a first-year starting quarterback affect the line? Who is under center will determine the style of the offense. With so much talent returning at receiver and inexperience at running back, pass blocking would appear to be at a premium for the 2016 Alabama offense.