Alabama players voiced all summer about wanting to return to being more physical.
The team emphasized recruiting bigger offensive and defensive linemen.
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Nick Saban hired Tommy Rees and Kevin Steele to replace Bill O’Brien and Pete Golding as coordinators.
Eric Wolford wants more physicality in his second season as the Crimson Tide’s offensive line coach. Players such as Seth McLaughlin, JC Latham, and Tyler Booker have been vocal about running the football more. Coach Saban looks forward to seeing the dominance in action, but one player is excited for the team to show its identity versus Middle Tennessee State.
Jase McClellan, a running back, totaled 655 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in 2022. The senior brought a toughness to Alabama’s backfield that it needed late in the year. He helped the Tide finish with 11 wins, including one against Kansas State.
“Our identity is being physical on offense,” McClellan said Monday. “Something we are focused on is having balance in passing and running the ball. We want to show people Alabama is still the standard.”
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McClellan and the offense have an opportunity to do it Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
People have questioned whether the Crimson Tide remains the program to fear in college football. Some have crowned Georgia the king; however, Alabama can take the first step to snatch it back this weekend.
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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.
