Alabama football brings back most of the running backs from a season ago, outside of Justice Haynes who transferred to Michigan. Plus there are a couple new faces in the room.
Heading into the second week of spring practice, Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer addressed the position and what stands out about several of the running backs.
“It’s nice to see,” DeBoer said. “We had just some health issues throughout the season last year. So I’m gonna be honest, there’s some times where I’m seeing things for the first time, too, with a few of them.”
Not Jam Miller, though. He’s back for his senior season after starting for the Crimson Tide in 2024. He ran for 668 yards and seven touchdowns on 145 carries a season ago.
“We know what Jam can do,” DeBoer said. “You all know, as well, and have seen a lot of him. He continues to just work, whether it’s in the weight room here in the offseason and then just a new quarterback and do his thing there. Most of the stuff is the same, but even a few little things that we’re doing differently just to fit him in the offense. Things that coach (Ryan) Grubb brings. Things that we just want to continue to evolve as we know our personnel better, know what Jam does really well.“
The rest of the group includes returners Richard Young, Kevin Riley and Daniel Hill. Then Alabama added Dre Washington from Louisiana and freshman AK Dear.
“I think (Washington is) a little combination of kind of all of the guys,” DeBoer said. “Kevin’s probably our shiftiest, kind of explosive guy on the roster. Dre’s compact, much like maybe you’d see with Daniel and Rich, but got some shiftiness to him. I like his mindset. He just comes here ready to work. He knows he’s got a lot to learn and focused on what he can control.”
Alabama will continue spring practices through A-Day on Saturday, April 12.
