Ryan Grubb tells what will be the ‘biggest difference’ about Alabama football’s offense

3/3/25 MFB MFB Spring Practice 1 Alabama Football Offensive Coordinator Ryan Grubb Photo by Kent Gidley

The quarterback run game was a staple for Alabama in 2024 as Jalen Milroe was the team’s top rusher throughout the season, but the 2025 Crimson Tide offense could absolutely look nothing like it did last season.

Alabama’s offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was asked Tuesday if the offense will look drastically different from last year with Ty Simpson as the Crimson Tide’s starter.

“That’s kind of the obvious one, right, it’s like we’re not necessarily a Jalen Milroe offense right now,” Grubb said. “Jalen was a super talented runner. That was probably a part of the gameplan every week, which was smart last year by the offensive staff, so I think that’s probably the biggest difference.”

Milroe had multiple designed quarterback runs per game last season, but the number of quarterback carries per game will likely be lower based on what Grubb said on Tuesday.

Grubb said Simpson is capable of doing some of the things Milroe did with his legs last season, but Grubb used a quarterback he coached at Washington as an example of what he believes Simpson’s role in the ground game could be this year.

“I mean, to a point, Ty is certainly capable of doing those things,” Grubb said. “Michael Penix Jr. is a good runner. People wouldn’t know that, but we didn’t really run him until the playoffs or late just because it’s a long season, and you know, you’re better off with the starter being able to throw the football in this offense then run it. We’ll certainly look for those opportunities because I think Ty is a good runner and make sure we have good things for him but taking caring care of him and making sure he is up right is important.”

The most important thing to Grubb in his first season as the Tide’s offensive coordinator is establishing a solid passing attack, but don’t be surprised if some spontaneous quarterback runs are mixed into the gameplan as the season progresses.

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