He started with five, but Nick Saban is down to two scholarship running backs for Alabama.
Injuries to Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams, and Camar Wheaton have the Crimson Tide in a tough spot. Brian Robinson has been productive and players are excited to see Trey Sanders, but how will Alabama manufacture more from its rushing attack?
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Bill O’Brien has to get creative in his offensive playcalling. Lane Kiffin, Michael Locksley, and Steve Sarkisian had success running RPO’s (run-pass option) with quarterbacks. Kiffin performed it with Blake Sims and Jalen Hurts, Locksley operated it with Tua Tagovailoa and Hurts, and Sarkisian did it with Tagovailoa.
When quarterbacks are dangerous in RPO’s or design runs, it forces a defense to respect the ground game. Bryce Young was the nation’s No. 1 dual-threat player in the 2020 class.
O’Brien needs to have a few designed runs for Young to hurt defensive linemen and linebackers. Opponents do not see Young as a threat to run. It allows the opposition to focus on Robinson and other backs.
If Young becomes more of a threat in the game, Alabama’s offense opens more. As talented as Christian Leary and Demouy Kennedy are, there is another way to create production. It is time for the Tide to look at Jalen Milroe. The freshman’s skill set could come in handy versus Arkansas, Auburn, and Georgia. Milroe has the size (6-2/212) to run defenders over, but he also possesses the quickness to be elusive. Milroe brings a big arm to the team. He tossed his first career touchdown: a 24-yard completion to receiver Javon Baker against Southern Mississippi. Alabama could have Milroe at quarterback and give off the idea of a running play. However, he also has the option to survey the defense, have the team check with him, and audible to a pass.
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Milroe’s dual-threat capabilities will offset defenses. He will run the ball and carry tacklers with him. The native Texan also carries the accuracy to connect on deep passes.
If defenses suspect a pass from Milroe, he could check into a run play and power through guys for positive yards. Slade Bolden, a redshirt junior, is also an option the Tide must utilize in its rushing attack.
A former high school quarterback, Alabama could put him in the Miller Forristall role from 2020. Last year, the Tide had Forristall in motion for quick snaps. Alabama got him the ball from center, and he would sneak for first-down yardage on third downs. Bolden does not have blazing speed, but he’s quick enough to sneak for yards. In using Milroe and Bolden, Alabama prevents a non-running back from doing too much. Leary wants to help the team, but he was recruited to be a wide receiver.
The Tide recruited Kennedy to be a linebacker.
Both guys will not be long-term solutions at running back.
Alabama has to have its best options in the run and pass game. Those options are Young, Milroe, and Bolden. Young has to make defenses respect him as a runner. Milroe will command respect with his legs. He must be featured more in the game plan.
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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.
