Alabama Football News

Jam Miller shares which running backs will step up for Alabama next year

by
TouchdownAlabama.com
March 2, 2026

Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

The Alabama run game is in desperate need of a spark, let alone getting back to what it once was in the Nick Saban era. Last season was the worst team rushing performance by the Crimson Tide since the 2000 season where it finished 3-8 on the year.

Going back to the early seasons of the century is the exact opposite of where Kalen DeBoer wants the team trajectory to go.

Alabama’s primary option at running back in 2025 was Jam Miller who battled injuries from the start of the year and was not able to mesh into a consistent groove. Miller departed the Crimson Tide after posting a season where he rushed for 504 yards on 130 carries for three touchdowns.

Miller, who just participated at the NFL Combine last week, has the closest look at the state of Alabama’s running back room and believes there are a few players currently there who can step up this fall.

“Daniel Hill, AK Dear and Kevin Riley,” Miller said when speaking with the media.

Despite the lack of overall production, Miller discussed how the group would work well together and be able to provide feedback in order to try and improve throughout the year.

“You know, them guys me being with them, just helping each other, Miller said, Just building that relationship, finding little nitpicks on how they can also get better in their game.”

Hill became the most prominent back featured down the stretch for Alabama. The 240 pound bruiser added a layer of physicality the offense needed to try and grind out whatever tough yards it could while also proving to be ab underrated pass option out of the backfield.

Riley saw playing time early in the season as a change of pace back for offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. He became a bit less of a fixture in the offense with the return of Jam Miller but showed the blueprint of how he could potentially compliment Hill next fall.

Dear is an exciting four-star recruit who mainly filled in as a reserve running back. But Dear showed out during his opportunities against Louisiana and Eastern Illinois where he rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns between the two games.

The trio will have its work cut out for it in 2026 as the Crimson Tide also looks to rebuild its offensive line who lost several starters and reserves. But after last season it appears things can only improve.

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