The Alabama Football running back group enters the 2021 college football season as one of the deepest and most talented in the country.
Replacing 2020 Doak Walker Award winner and one of the greatest running backs in Crimson Tide history in Najee Harris will not be an easy thing to do. However, Alabama enters the season with multiple running backs that could play a pivotal role during the 2021 season.
Alabama Football 2021 Season Preview: Running Backs
The most-likely candidate to replace Harris as the starting running back is a familiar face to Crimson Tide fans:
Brian Robinson Jr
Class: Redshirt Senior
HT/WT: 6’1, 228 LBs.
Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL
High School: Hillcrest
Number: 4
The most-likely player to begin the 2021 season as Alabama’s lead running back is redshirt senior Brian Robinson Jr. Robinson served as the primary back-up to Harris a year ago finishing the season with 483 rushing yards and six TD’s on 93 carries, as well as six catches for 26 yards.
Now entering year five at Alabama, Robinson has rushed for a combined 1,361 yards and 15 TD’s on 274 carries throughout his Crimson Tide career. After serving as a reserve the previous four seasons, Robinson now returns to Tuscaloosa for his redshirt senior season to serve as Alabama’s primary running back entering the 2021 campaign.
While Robinson might not put up the same levels of production as Harris did a year ago, he should serve as Alabama’s early-down and goal line back at minimum. When looking at his previous seasons at Alabama as well, Robinson should easily surpass the biggest workload, as well as the most production, of his career this season.
Prediction for 2021 Season Stat Line:
170 carries, 1,200 yards, 12 TD, 20 catches, 200 yards, 1 TD
Trey Sanders
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
HT/WT: 6’0, 214 LBs.
Hometown: Port Saint Joe, FL
High School: IMG Academy
Number: 6
Despite suffering an injury mid-way through the season, Trey Sanders enters year three in Tuscaloosa after rushing for 134 yards on 30 carries a year ago.
While injuries have played a role during his first two seasons at Alabama, Sanders showed some flashes when healthy a year ago including a 12-carry, 80-yard performance last season against Mississippi State. A former five-star recruit and No. 1 running back in the country in the Class of 2019, Sanders is a popular breakout candidate waiting to happen.
Sanders this season will most-likely be the popular pick to serve as the No. 2 running back right behind Robinson on the depth chart. The talent with Sanders is evident when healthy, and is a player that could find himself in a bigger role as the season goes on.
Prediction for 2021 Season Stat Line:
120 carries, 700 yards, 6 TD, 15 catches, 150 yards, 1 TD
Jase McClellan
Class: Sophomore
HT/WT: 5’11, 212 LBs.
Hometown: Aledo, TX
High School: Aledo
Number: 21
After an impressive freshman season a year ago where he rushed for 245 yards and two TD’s on 23 carries, Jase McClellan returns for year two with the Crimson Tide.
A consensus four-star prospect out of high school a year ago, McClellan showcased some impressive moments at times last season, most-notably an 80-yard TD against Arkansas. After rushing for 6,468 career yards and 122 TD’s in high school, it’s clear why there is so much excitement surrounding McClellan, and his performance a year ago ranking third on the team in rushing yards did nothing to slow that down.
Looking ahead to what we may see from McClellan this season, the former four-star recruit should continue to see more looks at the running back position, while also likely serving a normal role on special teams again. The potential is evident for McClellan, and because of this, don’t be surprised if he emerges as one of the go-to running backs from this deeply talented group.
Prediction for 2021 Season Stat Line:
100 carries, 600 yards, 6 TD, 10 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD
Roydell Williams
Class: Sophomore
HT/WT: 5’10, 210 LBs.
Hometown: Hueytown, AL
High School: Hueytown
Number: 23
Seeing action a year ago as a freshman, Roydell Williams appeared in eight games last season where he received 19 carries for 71 yards and one TD.
A consensus four-star prospect, Williams was one of the top players from the state of Alabama in the Class of 2020. Playing at Hueytown High School, Williams rushed for 5,929 yards and 84 TD’s during his high school career, which also included three consecutive 1,000 yard rushing seasons and multiple All-State selections.
Williams is a player who has impressed at times during his limited action so far in Tuscaloosa, and could be a potential breakout candidate this season from this talented group. Likely beginning the season as either third or fourth on the depth chart, don’t be surprised if we see Williams in a bigger role on the field sooner rather than later.
Prediction for 2021 Season Stat Line:
60 carries, 350 yards, 3 TD, 5 catches, 30 yards, 1 TD
Camar Wheaton
Class: Freshman
HT/WT: 5’11, 190 LBs.
Hometown: Garland, TX
High School: Lakeview Centennial
Number: 25
The lone running back in Alabama’s 2021 recruiting class, Camar Wheaton comes to Tuscaloosa as one of the top freshman running backs in the entire country.
Rated as a consensus five-star prospect, Wheaton was considered one of the Top 3 overall running backs in the Class of 2021, as well as one of the top players in the state of Texas. Attending Lakeview Centennial High School, Wheaton rushed for 3,731 yards and 48 TD’s during his high school career while also receiving notable honors including the 2019 Texas District 10-6A MVP as a junior.
The talent and potential is evident with Wheaton making him a candidate to see the field from day one. Wheaton’s talent alone should allow him to see playing time often this season in this loaded backfield, as both a special teams player, as well as receiving carries often.
Prediction for 2021 Season Stat Line:
60 carries, 400 yards, 2 TD, 5 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD
While replacing an all-time Alabama great in Harris will not be an easy thing to do, the Crimson Tide have multiple running backs to do it. Will we see a running back by committee in Tuscaloosa this season, or will one of these five emerge as the “go-to” guy?