Alabama concluded 2022 with a victory over Kansas State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
All eyes now shift to spring practice and the position battles that follow. However, the staff at Touchdown Alabama Magazine wants to grade the performances of each position group from last season. We begin this process now and it should finish at the end of the month. After grading quarterbacks, the running back position is next
Running Backs
–Grade: B+
–Starter: Jahmyr Gibbs/Jase McClellan
–Backups: Roydell Williams/Jamarion Miller/Trey Sanders
–2022 stats: 2,134 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns
–Summary: Alabama’s offensive play-calling did not help its rushing attack in 2022.
The offensive line had some inconsistencies, but the running backs made plays.
RELATED: Grading Alabama quarterbacks from 2022 season
Jahmyr Gibbs did not total 1,000 yards rushing; however, the Georgia Tech transfer had three 100-yard performances. He had a career-high three rushing touchdowns against Tennessee and a career-high 206 yards rushing versus Arkansas. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder recorded 926 rushing yards and seven scores, showing the burst and quickness to attack holes. Bill O’Brien featured Gibbs a lot in the passing game as he led Alabama’s receivers for catches (44) and totaled 444 yards with three touchdowns.
He did not have the power of the Crimson Tide’s other backs, but his skill set made up for it.
Jase McClellan should have been used more. As a junior, he returned healthy from a knee injury in 2021. He brought the combination of power, speed, vision, and versatility. His toughness allowed him to post 655 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns, including good outings versus Texas (97 yards), Vanderbilt (78 yards), Ole Miss (84 yards), and Austin Peay (156 yards).
RELATED: Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams declares for NFL Draft
McClellan also had 14 catches for 174 yards and three touchdowns.
Roydell Williams finished with four rushing touchdowns while Jamarion Miller had two rushing scores and led all backs in yards per carry average (6.76). Trey Sanders had 80 yards rushing and a touchdown in 2022 before transferring to Texas Christian University. Alabama could not run the ball like it wanted to, but it had success in the moments where it turned to the ground game. The Crimson Tide’s backs did enough to earn respect, but O’Brien did not trust it enough.
Alabama’s rushing attack earned a “B+,” though it was capable of doing more.
Click here to follow the Bama Elite Podcast
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
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.
