One of the deepest and best parts about Alabama’s football roster is its running back room.
In the Nick Saban era, the Crimson Tide kept a valuable one-two punch at running back or a stable of guys.
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Two players — Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry — became Heisman Memorial Trophy winners for the University of Alabama at the position, but how deep is this room of backs for the Tide? Kalen DeBoer inherited five running backs as a first-year head coach in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The 49-year-old has Justice Haynes, Jam Miller, Richard Young, Daniel Hill (freshman), and Kevin Riley (freshman). He coached the duo of Wayne Taulapapa (11) and Cameron Davis (13) to 24 rushing touchdowns in 2022 at Washington, while positioning Dillon Johnson to 1,195 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns on 223 carries for a Pac-12 title team and a College Football Playoff squad last year. DeBoer is great with talent, but how deep will Alabama’s running back room be?
Haynes and Miller should get the bulk of responsibilities.
Haynes, a former five-star in the 2023 signing class, puts Tide fans in the mind of a traditional power back. He brings power, contact balance, speed, cutback abilities, and the ability to create a hole if there is not one. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder is a three-down running back. Haynes, a native Georgian, is good in pass protection and his ability to push forward for extra yardage sets Alabama up with short yardage situations on second and third downs. He wants to pound the opponent’s defensive front.
Miller, a former four-star in the 2022 class, is an all-purpose player. He can ultimately create success as a runner, receiver, and return specialist. Miller fits into the role that former Tide standout, Josh Jacobs played at Alabama. The Tide had to find ways to get Jacobs the ball in open space because of how dynamic he was. Miller is the same way, especially after watching him catch a wheel route from Jalen Milroe for a touchdown in the 2023 Southeastern Conference Championship matchup against Georgia.
Young, a former five-star in the 2023 class, has yet to have an opportunity to show his skill set.
He posted a rushing touchdown last season, but has the talent to do a lot more. The native Floridian brings similar traits as Haynes and Miller at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, but Alabama has to get him involved. Young will be sprinkled into the offense for different situations. He could be used similarly to how former Tide standout, Bo Scarbrough was in 2016 for Alabama.
Scarbrough played in the same backfield as Damien Harris and Jacobs, but Alabama went to him exclusively when he showed he was the hot hand to run the football. Young could have moments in the fall where he’s the hot hand and take advantage of it.
Hill and Riley could see action in the fall, depending on the health of the position, but I see both redshirting.
They are talented freshmen they may get some burn in three to four games, yet I see Coach DeBoer holding on to a redshirt for them. We will see what happens as fall camp starts next Wednesday, but Haynes, Miller, and Young should be as deep as the rotation gets.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
