Former Alabama player tells why Tide is confident run game will have ‘home run threat’ in 2026

Oct 18, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Daniel Hill (4) celebrates a play in the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Former Alabama quarterback, Greg McElroy feels Alabama is confident about the changes it has made to improve its rushing attack in 2026.

McElroy reveals he is hearing the Crimson Tide feels good about the changes it has made upfront by revamping its offensive line and hiring Adrian Klemm as its new offensive line coach.

“Kalen DeBoer saw some of the challenges along the offensive line, some of the challenges occasionally in the inconsistency at running back,” McElroy said on “Everything College Football.” “They didn’t just patch it up. They replaced everything. They go out, and they hire Adrian Klemm to coach the offensive line, and Klemm is an NFL guy. He’s been in the NFL. He’s been great in the past on the recruiting trail. He brings a physical, pro-style edge that I think the unit desperately needs, and you can expect the run game to look a lot better this year. And the new faces that they brought in along the offensive line, the expectations are high in Tuscaloosa about the progress that’s been made along the front. That’s massive because that was a position group that was frustrating at times to watch last year.”

A total of six offensive lineman has transferred to Alabama, and five high school and JUCO offensive linemen signed with the Tide in the 2026 recruiting class after losing six offensive linemen to the transfer portal and NFL.

Alabama’s rushing attack struggled at times throughout the 2025 season, especially in its last few games. The Tide’s offensive line deserved some of the blame for those inefficiencies, along with Alabama’s running backs.

The Tide returns a trio of running backs from last season in Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley and AK Dear. Alabama will also welcome a trio of backs in Ezavier Crowell, Trae’shawn Brown and Khalifa Keith (App State transfer). This group has the Tide feeling optimistic about its rushing attack, according to McElroy.

“You look at the running back position, Daniel Hill’s got a chance to be a really good one,” said McElroy. “They also got some other young guys that you’re really excited about. They have one of the top true freshman running backs in the country in Crowell. So, people in Tuscaloosa are already saying that Crowell is one of the most talented and explosive backs that they’ve had in crimson and white since Jahmyr Gibbs. So, if Adrian Klemm can come in and fix the protection, alleviate some of the inconsistencies in blocking up front, and Crowell and company, and Hill, and others, they can provide that home run threat out of the backfield. This offense will go from being extremely one-dimensional to perfectly balanced.”

Alabama desperately needs to improve its rushing attack in 2026.