The Crimson Tide lands an interesting center from the Big West Conference

As part of their ongoing offensive line overhaul, the Alabama Crimson Tide added experienced interior lineman Friday night, undertaking the obligation from the Cal Poly Racine Delgatti Center. He is Alabama’s third offensive addition from the transfer portal this offseason, joining Michigan transfers Kaden Strayhorn and Ty Haywood.

After three seasons at Cal Poly, Delgatti heads to Tuscaloosa, where he built a reputation as a solid center in the Big Sky Conference. Listed between 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-4 and weighing between 300 and 310 pounds, Delgatti collected 1,316 career offensive snaps, 1,302 of which were under center. During that span, he allowed just one hit and two quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Focus.

During the 2025 season, Delgatti started all 12 games at center for Cal Poly and earned second-team All-Big Ski honors. Pro Football Focus credited him with a 79.9 pass-blocking grade, as he surrendered 11 pressures and zero sacks in 460 pass-blocking snaps. He also posted a 61.8 run blocking grade on 312 snaps. During the 2024 and 2025 seasons combined, Delgatti allowed one sack, two quarterback hits and 14 total pressures on 785 pass blocking snaps. In two games against Power Four opponents Stanford and Utah, he played 63 snaps without giving up any pressure or turnovers.

Delgatti entered the transfer window on Jan. 2 and generated significant interest, visiting Alabama, Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Oklahoma and Oregon. He also received offers from programs including Baylor, Kentucky, Northwestern, UCLA, Washington State, Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Wake Forest and Hawaii. He committed to Alabama after visiting Tuscaloosa on Jan. 15-16. The rising redshirt junior will have two years of eligibility remaining.

The Crimson Tide’s need at center could not be clearer. Alabama lost two-year starter Parker Brailsford to the NFL Draft, backup Geno VanDeMark exhausted his eligibility and third-string center Joseph Yonata transferred to Georgia Tech. In all, the Crimson Tide lost 10 scholarship offensive linemen to the draft or portal, six of whom started last season. Michael Carroll is the only player to return from starting experience.

With Delgatti’s addition, Alabama now has 12 scholarship offensive linemen for the 2026 season after entering the offseason with just five returning. Delgatti is the Crimson Tide’s 14th overall commitment, continuing a recent pipeline from Cal Poly, where tight end Josh Cuevas began his career, who racked up 37 receptions for 411 yards and four touchdowns for Alabama in 2025.