Alabama signed three running backs in its 2020 freshmen class, including two highly-touted recruits.
Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams have different skills, but both are dangerous.
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McClellan resembles Josh Jacobs to fans, while Williams should put them in the mind of Mark Ingram. Regardless of the comparisons, the Crimson Tide liked what it saw from both players on the recruiting trail. McClellan, a native of Aledo, Texas, was having a good year as the backup to Brian Robinson Jr. until an injury occurred. He sustained a knee issue versus Ole Miss that required surgery and is out for the year. McClellan enhanced Alabama’s offense in many ways. He has toughness between the tackles, speed in space, good hands as a receiver, and has improved his pass-blocking skills. Before the injury, the sophomore had 191 yards rushing, 97 yards receiving, and four touchdowns. He totaled 245 yards rushing with two scores last season.
Williams, who hails from Hueytown, Ala., is next up and ready to roll.
9/25/21 MFB Alabama vs University of Southern Mississippi
Alabama running back Roydell Williams (23)
Photo by University of Alabama
Williams is third for Alabama in carries (24) and yards (154) with one touchdown, but his average of 6.4 yards per carry is the highest in the running back room. He injected confidence into the coaching staff and fans with his outing versus Southern Mississippi at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Williams led the team with 110 yards rushing on 11 carries and scored a touchdown.
He averaged 10 yards per rush, including a long run of 55 yards.
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The 5-foot-10, 208-pounder had three 1,000-yard seasons during his career at Hueytown High School. Williams finished his tenure with 5,929 rushing yards, 84 rushing scores, and 92 total touchdowns. He showed versatility as a receiver in spring practice, catching four passes for 65 yards on A-Day. His skill set allows him to bounce off defenders, run with toughness, and push the accelerator in open space. Williams has a gear to him once he gets on the perimeter, and his teammates know it.
Photo by University of Alabama
On Tuesday, Malachi Moore spoke about the difficulties of tackling Williams.
“Roydell is a great running back,” he said. “He finishes all the runs at practice, and it’s a challenge to thud him up because he’s such a hard runner. He always tries to finish every play.”
He does not have the breakaway speed as McClellan, but Williams is deceptive enough to make defenders account for him.
According to Coach Nick Saban, Williams will have an expanded role.
“Roydell has good explosion,” he said. “He can run behind his pads. He’s tough and he has good speed. He’s a good receiver, and we have confidence in him with this expanded role on offense.”
Williams has been training with Leonard Stephens of Step-By-Step Performance (Birmingham, Ala.) since high school.
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After the 2020 season, the two worked on preparing Williams to be an impact player.
Whether it was strength training, agility drills, speed techniques, or drills to avoid defenders, Stephens got his student prepared. He watched Williams dominate at the high school level, but he is excited about this opportunity.
He said the running back trained all offseason for the moment.
4/17/21 MFB Golden Flake A-Day Game
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9)
Alabama running back Roydell Williams (23)
Photo by University of Alabama
“He showed what he could do in the spring,” Stephens said of Williams. “Roydell can do it all. I think Malachi Moore said it best when he talked about Roydell finishing runs. He’s a mixture of Mark Ingram and Kenneth Darby. I am ready to see him play.”
Williams will have his chance on Saturday against Texas A&M.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
