Alabama Guard Tyler Booker Works Well in Concert with O-Line

Alabama left guard Tyler Booker is a physical specimen with an aggressive nature and the first thing that pops on his game film is his elite flexibility.

Booker has a big wide muscular body from head to toe, but he’s not just another pretty face in the trenches, he plays smart and he combines that with brute raw strength to often get the job done.

It’s the kind of strength that dominates a weight room.

His upper body is as strong as his lower body, which allows him to drop his weight and hunker down when he needs to in pass protection, and to move defensive linemen out of the way on running plays when necessary.

There’s also something that really jumped out on game film that sets him apart when projecting him to the NFL.

Plays well with others

When Booker is not setting and assigned to block one defensive lineman on passing and running plays, he’s often seen teaming up with a fellow offensive lineman to form double teams or he simply helps out by giving a nice big push to a defender if they get in trouble.

Booker uses his football smarts to pick up on all the little tricks pass rushers attempt. He also shows he understands the various blocking schemes.

It’s been said an offensive line is like a glove with all five offensive linemen working together.

Booker fits that glove.

Stay away from my quarterback

This was another thing about Booker that impressed me ⎯the protective instincts he showed on game film.

There were several reps he did everything he could to keep a defender off his quarterback. He could be seen at the last second giving one last desperate push to get the job done.

And it worked.

Devastating pulling guard

Whether it was a pass or run play that was called ⎯Booker was highly effective pulling down the line and connecting with the defender waiting in the hole with authoritative power.

Booker combines good straight-line speed with his athleticism and aggression to do an excellent job when asked to pull and make a block.

Having a guard like this allows for even more offensive game-planning flexibility.

Difference maker

The first round is all about finding difference-makers and while left guard isn’t the sexiest type of selection, the importance of the offensive line can not be overstated enough.

Booker’s 2023 game film says he deserves to see his name on a draft card on day one.

He’s a methodical brute, which is a good and a bad thing. It’s a good thing because of the physical edge he brings to the position and it’s a bad thing because it causes him to let his foot off the gas a little too early at times.

However, make no mistake ⎯this is a plug-and-play franchise left guard from the looks of it.

#52 Tyler Booker 6-foot-5, 325 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Fall Grade: First Round (I would select him)

Projected by 46.2 % of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 10, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: Middle Tennessee, Texas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU, Kentucky, Chattanooga, Auburn, Georgia, and Michigan (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

High ceiling prospect with explosive elite power and an alpha male personality that shows up on film. Flexible. Active. Iron-clad anchor. Big bubble. Strong base. Uses his hands well setting up in pass pro and uses his frame and strength to shield out most of the time. Does allow defensive linemen to occasionally get into his body too much, which decreases his control and gets him turned sideways. Compensates with good effort. Relies too much on strength at times and not enough on his technique. Mauler mentality. Physical run blocker who finishes with leverage. Otherwise stays off the ground on running plays. Inconsistent sustain straight-up. Inconsistent reaching and sustaining at the second level.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Is he keeping pass rushers away from his body?

2. Does he rely more upon strength or technique in pass protection?

3. Consistent sustaining run blocks?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.