Alabama football is looking to sign two running backs in the 2026 recruiting class. The magic number for Kalen DeBoer in the RB room looks to be six, and the Tide has two seniors (Jam Miller and Dre Washington) on the roster, along with a draft-eligible junior in Richard Young.
The Crimson Tide's top target at RB in the 2026 class is in-state 5-star Ezavier Crowell, who will be in Tuscaloosa for an official visit this weekend. Alabama is also high on 4-star Derrek Cooper, who took an official visit to Alabama over the weekend of June 6th.
Alabama isn't likely to land both Crowell and Cooper, with both likely being the featured back in their respective class.
The search for a secondary back has led them to Miami 4-star commit Javian Mallory from Boca Raton. Mallory has been committed to the Hurricanes since March, but he took an official visit to Tuscaloosa over the weekend, and Alabama has given him a lot to think about:
Alabama got Miami 4-star RB commit Javian Mallory to Tuscaloosa for an official visit this weekend🐘
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 15, 2025
"They definitely checked all the boxes."
More from @ChadSimmons_: https://t.co/q3FWl2djK5 pic.twitter.com/KJ0kO6clGx
Mallory has proven to be an explosive back at the high school level. As a junior, Mallory averaged over 10 yards per carry, racking up 676 yards and 10 touchdowns despite only playing in seven games due to injury. As a sophomore, he also averaged over 10 yards per carry, producing 1415 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Alabama's status as RBU continues to help with recruiting
Alabama's struggles with the traditional ground game last season has undoubtedly been something other programs are pointing to as they recruit the Tide's RB targets in this class. DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb run a pass-first system, much different than what was the norm in Tuscaloosa under Nick Saban.
But Alabama's history of RB development still carries a lot of weight, even with a new sheriff in town.
Last season in the NFL, Alabama had three running backs finish in the top six in the league in rushing: Derrick Henry (2nd), Jahmyr Gibbs (5th), and Josh Jacobs (6th). They had four former 'backs finish with over 1000 rushing yards, with those three joined by Najee Harris.
Alabama's success on Sundays makes it hard to say no to the Crimson Tide regardless of position, but the running back spot carries even more weight.
The ground game will be a key part of the Tide's offense in 2025, and with Jalen Milroe gone, DeBoer and company will lean more on the traditional run game with a new starter at QB.