Freshman running back, Justice Haynes played the most meaningful football he had ever played as an Alabama football player in the Rose Bowl.
Haynes rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries during the regular season, mostly late in games. He also played on special teams. It came as a bit of a surprise to see the former five-star back early and often in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.
The Georgia product rushed for 31 yards on four carries against the Wolverines. Saban revealed why Haynes played more than he played in the regular season in the Rose Bowl Thursday on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“He’s been an outstanding player for us all year long,” Saban said. “The running back position was a little bit of a log jam for us. We had four guys that were all really good players and at some point in time in the season, each one of those guys sort of had a little injury or was out. So, it worked out, and in this last game, Roydell had a little bit of a bad ankle, so that kind of opened the door for 22. But when he had had the chances to play in the past, he played very well. I think he has a very bright future, and I think he’s gonna be a really, really good player.”
Haynes is returning to Tuscaloosa next season.
GET THE BEST ALABAMA FOOTBALL INSIDER INFORMATION, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, AND RECRUITING COVERAGE TODAY! SIGN UP HERE TO UNLOCK OUR SUBSCRIBER ONLY CONTENT!*
