Alabama’s defense will face some electric running backs in the fall, but it has one in practice that is a challenge.
Jahmyr Gibbs is preparing the Crimson Tide’s run defense for the Southeastern Conference slate. As a transfer from Georgia Tech, he brings a skill set that the Tide did not have last year. He runs with power, speed, explosive cuts, and catches the ball well out the backfield. Najee Harris performed all aspects well in 2020 and won the Doak Walker Award. He became a Heisman finalist for Alabama and got selected at No. 24 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris was difficult to defend, but Gibbs has a different gear. Coach Nick Saban raved about him in spring practice, and Gibbs’ teammates talked about him in fall camp.
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Henry To’oto’o, a senior linebacker, said he’s ‘never guarded a back like Gibbs.’ Will Anderson, a junior linebacker, said Gibbs’ explosive cuts, speed, and catching abilities make him hard to run with. Anderson compared Gibbs’ skills to a wide receiver.
The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder is challenging the Tide to be elite on defense. Saban appreciates Gibbs’ efforts and explained to reporters this week why he makes the defense better.
“I think everyone is helped by the quality of players we have on offense and defense,” Saban said.
“Patrick Surtain covered Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle every day in practice for three years. Iron sharpens iron. Cam Robinson won the Outland Trophy playing left tackle here. The guy playing right defensive end, he won the Nagurski, Jonathan Allen. They practiced against each other every day for three years. It helps everybody get better when you have good players. Jahmyr Gibbs plays at a different speed. He breaks contain of the defense because, but that’s good for the defense. When we play against a good back that has great speed, maybe we can keep leverage on him. It helps everyone on the defensive team, and I think it helps at every position when players get challenged in practice.”
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Gibbs has brought the challenge in camp, but we will see how Alabama’s defense responds to it.
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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.
