We return to football action for the University of Alabama next week.
Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide will take the practice field for fall camp.
RELATED: Preseason grade for Alabama’s offensive line heading into fall practice
Alabama is looking to capture its first national championship after coming up short in three consecutive seasons. The Tide returns experienced players, signed talented freshmen, and brought in veterans from the NCAA transfer portal. In this series, we provide a preseason grade for each position heading into practice.
After looking at the quarterback room and offensive line, we now break down Alabama’s running backs.
RB Room
Alabama’s running back room is arguably one of the best in college football.
No one has started a conversation on it, but the Crimson Tide has a dynamic duo and potentially a fierce trio.
Jam Miller and Justice Haynes play well off each other. Miller provides more versatility, while Haynes brings the power, physicality, contact balance, and punishment running between the tackles. Both have speed in breaking runs outside and will have a much improved offensive line to run behind. Richard Young, a second-year player, is the third back in the rotation.
RELATED: Can Jam Miller be Alabama’s leading running back this season?
The native Floridian recorded a touchdown in 2023 and had one on A-Day.
He looks to take carries from Miller and Haynes, giving opponents another rusher to keep its eyes on. Miller, a native Texan, could be the lead back in the room; however, it may also be a group effort at the position. Alabama also has Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley, both freshmen, that may see action. They should get spot play duty in three to four games and keep the redshirt heading into the future. Kalen DeBoer may use them against Western Kentucky, South Florida, and Mercer in the fall.
Miller, Haynes, and Young all showed flashes of potential last season.
It will be interesting to see who carries the hot hand throughout fall camp and into the regular season.
Preseason Grade: A
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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.
