2026 NFL Prospect Profile: Alabama Center Parker Brailsford

Parker Brailsford grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and attended Saguaro High School, where he lettered in football and track & field. He was a three-star recruit who committed to play college football for the Washington Huskies but redshirted and didn't appear in any games in 2022. 

Entering the 2023 season, Brailsford earned a starting spot on the Huskies’ offensive line. He started all 15 games and was honored as a second-team All-Pac-12 selection. After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Brailsford entered the transfer portal and signed to play football at the University of Alabama. He entered the 2024 season as one of the top centers in the country and has since anchored the offensive line for the Crimson Tide.

Strengths

• Strength
• Mobility
• Getting to the 2nd Level
• Explosive 

Parker Brailsford plays quickly and powerfully off the snap. He dictates most battles with a quick punch and superior technique. He gains leverage quickly and has exceptional strength for a smaller center. He excels at making plays in the second level and has the agility to get out ahead of screens and sweeps. 

For a lineman, he has the flexibility and mobility to reposition himself and will be one of the top interior athletes in this class. He is best in a zone blocking scheme and plays every down through the echo of the whistle. 

Weaknesses

1. Length
2. Balance
3. Experience
4. Anchoring

Brailsford's lack of length allows quick defenders to get into his chest and take away his power and leverage at times. When anchoring, Brailsford must work harder to remain balanced against faster and larger blitzing defensive players. He has average footwork when it comes to pass blocking, but this can be cured with coaching and experience. 

Brailsford, while compact, is still on the small side for an interior lineman in the NFL. His shorter arms aren’t an issue inside, but longer defensive tackles might take advantage of this. He will need to add some weight before getting to the pros.  

Conclusion 

Parker Brailsford is an athletic center who plays well in the run game. He is undersized, and will need to find a way to cope with his lack of length against the larger players in the NFL. Draft Nation expects him to come off the board as a top 3 center by the end of day two or early on day three. 

A good pro comparison for Brailsford may be Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens. They are both a bit undersized but have exceptional agility and speed to get to the second level. Brailsford may be a big stronger, but Linderbaum's wrestling background makes him a tougher one-on-one battler.