Kalen DeBoer tells biggest reason Alabama will miss Jam Miller early in season

Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller (26) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Second-year Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is tasked with playing at Florida State for the Tide’s season opener and competing without starting running back Jam Miller.

On Wednesday, DeBoer explained the biggest reason why Alabama will miss Miller early in the season.

“Just experience that he brings to the table,” DeBoer said. “There’s just a higher level of trust and kind of understanding of what it’s going to look like on game day. And you don’t have that as much with the rest of these guys. It doesn’t mean that they’re not doing nice things in the practice field.”

Miller is the only current Alabama running back who’s started a game for the Tide, and without him at the team’s disposal, Alabama turns to Richard Young, Daniel Hill, Dre Washington and Kevin Riley.

Perhaps replacing the amount of expected production Miller was set to have for the Crimson Tide against the Seminoles will be done by committee as DeBoer alluded to not having a higher level of trust in a specific running back.

On the bright side, Miller has been pouring into the other running backs while he’s recovering from his injury. Quarterback Ty Simpson said Miller is coaching up each player between practice reps and added that the backs are doing everything they can to make sure they are ready when the time comes.

On top of the injury to Miller, the Crimson Tide likely will not have right guard Jaeden Roberts or defensive lineman Tim Keenan healthy in time for Saturday’s matchup against the Seminoles.

Alabama and Florida State kick off their respective seasons Aug. 30 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

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