Redshirt senior Josh Casher picks up his playbook and opens it to a page.
Every day, he writes the same thing on the page.
“Every day matters,” he scribbles.
For a fifth-year player fighting for a spot, every day does matter. One day could lead to a starting spot for the first time in his career. He is not focused on that, however. He just wants to get better.
“I strive to push my teammates in every way,” Casher said. “So we try not to really focus on that. One thing I try to do is every day I go out on the field, as Coach Saban always talks about, with discipline and focus, and paying attention to detail and just trying to be the best player you can be.”
Casher is not going to blow you away with his size. At 6-foot-1, 291 pounds, he does not have the build that Alabama normally looks for in an interior lineman.
Still, he has been getting his shot this spring as Alabama experiments with that group. He is the smallest offensive lineman Alabama has, but he is one of the most experienced. He’s moved around on Alabama’s offensive line for the last five years.
While he’s never been a starter, Casher believes his shot will come.
“It’s a process being here at Alabama and nothing’s going to be given to you,” Casher said. “When you’re here, you’re going to have to work your butt off, pay attention to detail and really be focused on what’s to come next. I think there’s a lot of guys that are able to play and who are really focused and are willing to put in the work it takes to be great.”
If a lineman lacks size, that attention to detail is even more important. Casher has to work extra hard to make sure he is effective. That is where the experience comes into play.
Five years in one position group means Casher knows the standard. He does not have ideal size, but Alabama coach Nick Saban is not worried about that.
“One thing he works hard to overcome is his size, and I think he’s proving to us every day, that that’s not an issue for him to be able to play,” Saban said.
Even when he is not working for a spot on the line, Casher is always trying to affect his teammates in a positive way. He’s been on two national championship teams. He knows what it takes.
Playing time doesn’t worry him. He wants to be a good teammate first.
“I want to be able to impact every last one of my teammates in the best way that I possibly can,” Casher said. “All of us, we’re in this together and we’re trying to achieve one goal. All of us want to be the best players that we can be and have a great team this year.”
Part of that impact comes from his big personality.
Casher comes to practice every day with a smile on his face, ready to bring positivity to his team. Defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, who faces Casher in practice, said his personality is “out of this world.”
When Casher speaks, his teammates know to pay attention.
“He comes with a big voice every day,” Williams said. “So when he says stuff, everybody just listens because as you can see, he has a big voice. You know what I’m saying? So when he speaks up, everybody listens. Everybody will recall what he’s saying. He’s always positive.”
Alabama will continue to use this spring as an opportunity to shuffle around players at different spots along the line. Casher knows the interior of the line and will get his shot.
“We’re mixing and matching a lot of different guys on the offensive line, but Josh is certainly in the mix at one of the guard positions,” Saban said. “He’s very smart, he’s a great leader, he does everything the right way. He’s got good explosion and good power.”
