Alabama football should get back to its roots a little more in 2023. The Crimson Tide will have a rotation consisting of any combination of five very capable backs. Each player is a complete back, with the vision and physicality to establish the blue-collar running game upon which the Alabama dynasty was built.
Rising senior Jase McClellan figures to lead the group. McClellan showed flashes of his explosive ability in limited snaps as a freshman in 2020, running for 245 yards on over 10 yards per carry. In his sophomore year, he figured to be a key cog in the offense but was lost for the season with a knee injury in just the fifth game of the season. In just over four games, McClellan ran for 191 yards and a touchdown, while adding three receiving touchdowns as Alabama’s change-of-pace back.
Jase McClellan returned healthy for his junior year and was one of the top weapons on the Alabama offense. He continued to display his versatility, proving his worth as a pass-catcher as well as a ball carrier.
McClellan served as Bama’s lead back at times, running for 655 yards and gaining 174 receiving yards with 10 total touchdowns. He has totaled 1,363 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns in his career, and he should have a featured role in 2023.
Roydell Williams came to Tuscaloosa in the 2020 class along with McClellan. He ran for 71 yards and a touchdown in his freshman season. As a sophomore, Williams saw significant time in a running back room that was hampered with injuries. He ran for 284 yards and one touchdown (adding another touchdown on a pass reception) before suffering a season-ending injury himself.
In his junior year, Roydell Williams once again found himself as the third back behind Jahmyr Gibbs and McClellan. He saw snaps in third-down and short-yardage situations, running for 250 yards and four touchdowns. Williams has 699 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns in his Alabama career. He could have an expanded role next season, but will certainly be pushed by a trio of younger players.
Jamarion Miller joined Alabama football as a 4-star in the 2022 recruiting class. While he was buried on the depth chart as a true freshman, he was refreshing in his opportunities off the bench. Miller showed future-star potential, running 33 times for 223 yards on the year. He led all Alabama running backs with a 6.8 yards per carry average and scored two touchdowns.
Justice Haynes and Richard Young both signed with Alabama football in the 2023 recruiting class. Both were among the most sought-after running backs in the country, and will be true freshmen next fall.
Haynes and Young are expected to push for playing time in the Bama backfield, which will already be deep. Jase McClellan will likely take the lead role to begin the season, with Roydell Williams and Jamarion Miller jockeying for the ever-important no. 2 spot.
Alabama football should be able to return to rotating multiple quality, interchangeable backs in 2023.