One area that Alabama football will look to improve upon during the 2025 season is in the rushing department. In 2024, Alabama struggled consistently to establish an effective rushing attack. That narrative will need to change in 2025 if Alabama wants a chance at reaching the 12-team College Football Playoff and having a shot at winning the national title.
Today, Touchdown Alabama projects who will lead the Crimson Tide in rushing yards during the 2025 season.
In 2024, Alabama was led on the ground by quarterback Jalen Milroe. He had 726 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. The second leading rusher last season was junior Jam Miller. The Texas native had 668 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. With Milroe heading to the NFL, Alabama will look to establish a more complimentary rushing attack in 2025. There will be several running backs that see meaningful snaps, and one stands out among the rest at this point in time.
Miller will be entering his senior season at Alabama. The former four-star has been a key player in Alabama’s backfield in each of the last three seasons. My prediction is that Miller will lead Alabama in rushing yards.
Miller will be challenged by redshirt sophomore Richard Young for the starting spot. However, the general consensus is that Miller will win the starting job given the fact that he has a year of starting experience under his belt. Miller runs with a purpose and excels at getting downhill in a hurry. Elite run blocking was a hit or miss for Alabama last season, so it was very difficult for Miller to get in any kind of rhythm. If Alabama’s offensive line can show improvement in the run game, I would expect Miller to have 800 or more yards and 10-plus touchdowns during the 2025 season.
Young and incoming transfer Dre’lyn Washington will likely see a lot of snaps in the backfield as well. However, I would expect Miller to get the majority of the snaps at the running back position. He has not reached his full potential yet. With it being his final year of college, Miller will be eager to leave a lasting legacy in Tuscaloosa. His talent and passion for greatness will go a long way in helping him achieve success in the backfield during the 2025 season.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
