Alabama Prodigy Throws Shade at Rival Auburn as LSU and Tennessee Dents Define His College Legacy

Alabama may have missed the first ever 12-team CFB playoff games. But they managed to maintain a clean record in their rivalry series with inter-state rivals Auburn. Their last win gave Kalen DeBoer and his team the satisfaction of crushing the Tigers’ pride, particularly that of a freshman LB. But for one Crimson Tide prodigy, it’s more than that. Their most recent Iron Bowl victory is going to look good on his records when he heads to the NFL in 2025. 

OL Tyler Booker joined Alabama in 2022 as an offensive guard while Nick Saban was still in charge. He’s one of the lucky players to have a 3-0 mark against Auburn and he gloated on that fact during his appearance on New Wave Podcast on YouTube on December 12. He said, “It feels great especially when young guys who never played in the game talked about never losing to Alabama. So that makes it feel even better.” 

Where did Auburn LB Demarcus Riddick get that kind of confidence? Maybe because Alabama faced a severe upset against Oklahoma in the previous week? But the freshman declared that he wouldn’t lose to the Crimson Tide during his time in Auburn. As they say, pride goes before a fall. The Tigers lost by double points in the 2024 Iron Bowl as they fell 28-14. It’s nothing but ignorance and impulsiveness that led to this humiliation. Alabama holds the current winning streak in the Iron Bowl after their last loss in 2019. 

Tyler Booker continued, “I came here for the standard of excellence. And us having so much pride in the program… And that pride stems from winning those key football games. Like when y’all leave here, they’re gonna ask what’s your record against Tennessee, LSU, and Auburn. I got (losses) against the other two.” The junior O-lineman has two losses against Tennessee and one loss against LSU from 2022 to 2024. He added, “But I’ll be able to say I’m 3-0 against Auburn. So that feels great.” That’ll only add up to his draft stocks in the NFL. 

Tyler Booker – a day 1 NFL starter at guard?

Tyler Booker has proven himself as a plug-and-play prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s hyped as a “Day 1 NFL starter at guard.” According to The Athletic Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft, Booker is the No. 22 overall prospect with a potential to land with the Houston Texans. Brugler said, “The Texans will make it a priority this offseason to improve the interior of their offensive line, and selecting Booker would be one way of doing that. The Alabama mauler is a powerful blocker with enough athleticism to handle what Houston likes to do on offense.”

As Alabama’s starter for three seasons, Tyler Booker is part of the National Championship game lineup for the 2023 season. In addition to his left guard role, he also started one game at tackle this season. At 6’5 and 325 pounds, this tank has been consistently and effectively protecting QB Jalen Milroe. This whole season, he allowed three pressures blocking for his quarterback while also serving as the main blocker to support RBs Justice Haynes and Jam Miller. 

It’s early to say where he’ll land in the NFL. He still has one more game to make a final statement on his college football career. Alabama will play their final game against Michigan at the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve.