Alabama Football: Why Jalen Milroe cannot be a running back option

Alabama Football has a shortage of running backs. Freshman Camar Wheaton has not played and will not play a snap this season because of an injury. After losing Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams for the season, and Trey Sanders perhaps not ready for heavy duty, the Crimson Tide has a troubling running back shortage.

Against New Mexico State, Demouy Kennedy and Christian Leary carried the rock for the Tide. Both are gifted athletes and could make positive contributions. On Monday, Nick Saban said the staff would probably look for another player to play running back in an emergency situation.

There are several possible candidates from a group of guys who played both ways in high school. It is possible one of the walk-on running backs might get a shot, but not before standing out in practice first.

Quite a few Alabama football fans want quarterback Jalen Milroe to become the Tide’s third running back solution. Milroe was not a running back, playing quarterback in high school. Football insiders from the state of Texas rave about his arm strength and his accuracy. Milroe threw more than 50 touchdown passes in his high school career. He also ran for over 1,000 yards. Coming from a high school system that infrequently required multiple reads, it has taken time for Milroe to learn how to orchestrate the complicated Crimson Tide offense.

A few months ago, Bill O’Brien said the Tide offense had two, smaller offensive packages designed around the talents of Paul Tyson and Jalen Milroe. Bryce Young had the full playbook and among the three QBs, Milroe’s playbook was the smallest.

More recently O’Brien commented Milroe’s playbook has gotten larger during the season. The best thing for the Crimson Tide is for Milroe to continue to master his expanded playbook, rather than getting reps at running back.

Alabama Football’s Jalen Milroe more than a fast runner

There is no doubt Milroe is a powerful and explosive runner. He is one of the fastest players on the team. His running ability has been showcased enough to make future opponents prepare for him – just in case. That ‘just in case’ is if Bryce Young goes down and the offense stumbles with Paul Tyson at QB.

Against Southern Mississippi, a touchdown pass from Milroe to Javon Baker showed his passing skills.

Milroe has thrown just seven passes in his college career and he has only completed three. Still, the throw against Southern Miss was enough to put opponents on notice.

Future Alabama Football, opposing Defensive Coordinators know they must prepare for Milroe’s arm as well as his legs. The young man has so much talent, he could be used in many ways. As a running back with Bryce Young at QB would be one way. Using him as a wildcat quarterback makes more sense. In the wildcat, opponents cannot load the box against him. If they try, Milroe can step back and zing a ball downfield.

Trey Sanders now has an opportunity to seize. If he (and Brian Robinson Jr.) can remain healthy, the duo might be all the Tide needs at running back.