2024 Alabama Crimson Tide Spring Football Running Back Preview

Only an incredible run to the Final Four by the Crimson Tide basketball team could keep Alabama fans' attention away from the football practice field. Hoops season ended on a disappointing note, but we now return to year one of the season. Karen DeBoer Era.

Much has been said about DeBoer's strong offensive system, which often involves wide receivers. But running backs also play an important role in this offense. After spending three seasons under late mike leechair raid crime, dillon johnson He transferred to Washington before the 2023 season and blossomed into a feature back with 1,195 yards and 16 TDs. As a receiver, he caught 24 balls for 190 yards.

Johnson carried most of the workload himself in the Huskies' quest for an FBS championship last season. At Alabama in 2024, DeBoer will have even more bullets in the room.

Within a more traditional back set, UW utilized Johnson in a variety of styles, including lining him up in the slot, splitting him out of the backfield, and moving him out of the backfield. Alabama's running backs have increased their practice on running pass routes. Essentially like any modern offense, the key attributes are running the ball, protecting the football, protecting passes, and catching out of the backfield. All of those traits could be of equal value to this team.

I left

• Jace McClellan – NFL Draft, likely Day 3 pick (Rounds 4-7).
• Roydell Williams – Brings a 2-yard and dust show to FSU as a bonus for his senior season.

return

Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images

running back coach Robert Gillespie He is one of two Crimson Tide assistants retained by DeBoer. nick saban2023 staff. The 44-year-old has been coaching at Capstone since 2021. brian robinson, jamil gibbs, McClellan.Before taking over at Alabama, Gillespie coached his running backs at UNC Javonte Williams (Broncos starter) michael carter (Cardinals).

The Crimson Tide had two experienced running backs back and another that needed development.

#26 Jamarion “jam mirrortrue JR

Miller has the most experience returning. He is also the only one to receive a reception in his honor. Miller completed only four passes for 73 yards, two of which were significant.

With two minutes left in the first half of a 14-14 game against LSU, Jam received a 35-yard swing pass to the Tigers' 33-yard line. The Tide then scored on Jalen Milroe's 21-yard run.

In the SEC Championship, a similar play occurred on the other side of the field, with Miller running 28 yards in the second quarter against Georgia to take a lead that he never relinquished.

For some reason, former Bama OC Tommy Reese This type of play was not utilized much. The KDB scheme makes use of this type of action.

#twenty two judge haynes 5'11”/205, true soft

Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

For most of his freshman year, the former five-star was running back fourth on the depth chart. Many observers, including the RBR staff, expected him to have a bigger role last season. For part of the season, Haynes wore a large elbow brace on his left arm. Scrolling through the archived photos, it appears he didn't wear a brace until Game 5 against Mississippi State, but he did wear one for Game 10 against Kentucky (above). Somewhere in between, he must have tweaked something.

There was no real explanation for the Georgia native's lack of touches in 2023. Whether it was an injury, lack of rushing skills, or seniority, we'll probably never know. Whatever it is, it shouldn't be a problem going forward.

Haynes can carry rocks with no problem. His 6.7 yards per carry easily led the team in 2023. He gained 168 yards on 25 attempts and scored two scores against UTC. His big coming out party came against Michigan.

#twenty five richard young 5'11″/200, RS FR

Young, who was buried at No. 5 on the depth chart last season, didn't really show his potential in 2023. He had nine rushes for 24 yards and one score in three games. He will have a chance to show off his work this spring.

beginner

#20 Daniel Hill 6'1″/231, true FR

The Miss Meridian resident has emerged as one of the Tide's big running backs in recent years. From 247sports: “A multi-dimensional athlete with a positionally versatile skill set that can project in a variety of ways depending on the offensive scheme. Flexes out as a receiver and is explosive as a running back or route runner. Open He has above-average play speed and separation speed on the field, but lacks the long speed to outrun defenders.'' At his size, he's definitely a different kind of back.

[Fellow freshman Kevin Riley of Tuscaloosa County arrives in the summer.]

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Saturday's second scrimmage was reportedly a pass-heavy scrimmage. So there's not much we can speculate about on the running back.

It's unclear how DeBoer will separate the two teams on A-Day. Will he have his top two running backs split into the same team reps, or will he split them up?

Either way, Miller will likely get the first touch, followed by Haynes. Next comes Young and Hill. Expect Haynes to be a star, though.