Does Alabama football have a vocal leader in its running back for the upcoming fall?
Justice Haynes, a sophomore, is growing as a leader by example. The former five-star from Buford (Ga.) High School impressed Crimson Tide fans last year in spring practice. Alabama went to him in the Rose Bowl Game versus Michigan, and he provided a spark off the bench with 31 yards rushing on four carries — including an 11-yard run. Haynes’ contribution helped the rushing attack of Jalen Milroe and settled Alabama’s offensive line into the game.
Tide fans will never understand why Tommy Rees took the ball out of Haynes’ hands, but that is a reason why he is no longer the offensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Haynes finished with 168 yards rushing and two touchdowns, but a junior for Alabama is prepared to be the ‘vocal leader’ in the room.
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Robert Gillespie, Alabama’s assistant head coach/running backs coach, loves the growth Jam Miller has made.
Alabama’s RB Coach Robert Gillespie speaks on Jam Miller:
“He’s just a hardworking football player. He’s been dominant on special teams for 2 to 3 years.”
Gillespie is so happy to see Miller’s personality come out as a ‘vocal leader.’@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/7vYx5Sia3L
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) March 9, 2024
“He is just a hardworking football player,” Gillespie said last week about Miller. “He has done everything we have asked him to do from a program standpoint. He has been a dominant kid on special teams for two to three years. He is a guy that just puts his hard hat on and goes to work. So, it is really good to see him become a leader and become more of a vocal guy. It is good to see more of his personality come out. When you are put into a leadership role, you have to be out front and it’s hard to be out front.”
Miller, a native of Tyler, Texas, came to the Crimson Tide as a four-star in its 2022 signing class.
He has adjusted to the responsibility of being out front, but Miller is ready to dominate spring practice.
“He [Jam Miller] has a really good relationship with the room,” Gillespie said. “He and Justice are young guys, but they still push each other. It has been really good to see him evolve. We’ve only had three days of practice, so it will be neat to see how he finishes once get back from break.”
Miller had 41 carries for 201 yards rushing and a touchdown in 2023. He also caught four passes, including one in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game against Georgia for a touchdown.
The 5-foot-10, 211-pounder brings toughness, versatility, power, and speed to a room and he’s a great complement to Haynes.
Haynes is set to unleash the one, two punch of him and Miller. Next season is about to be fun for Alabama’s backfield.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
