The biggest worries about the Alabama Football offense go back to weaknesses from last season. They are offensive line pass protection and quarterback execution of Kalen DeBoer's complete offense. Given those concerns and an opposite, that Alabama is deep in talent at wide receiver, the running back group has received less attention.
The running back group has no shortage of talent. Alabama has six guys who could either start or be key rotation pieces on many SEC football teams. Barring injuries, two of them will get little more than special teams action in the 2025 season. AK Dear and Kevin Riley were 4-star commits coming out of high school, but four guys stand between them and meaningful running back carries in 2025. The competition among all six is fierce, but just days away, practice reps must be focused on three running backs.
An Alabama Football Derrick Henry clone?
Though not easy to manage, it is possible that a fourth running back can factor in a rotation. At this point, Jam Miller is the No. 1 running back. Richard Young is expected to be RB2. In the 2023 class, the major player rating sources had Young either No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 among the nation's running backs. Kalen DeBoer has often complimented Daniel Hill. After the scrimmage, DeBoer said, "Daniel Hill is a guy we’re getting more and more comfortable with. He’s a big back, but I think he’s deceiving when it comes to what he does from a skillset standpoint because he can catch the ball out of the backfield." The sophomore is close to being Derrick Henry big. Hill is listed at 244 lbs., but is rumored to be a few pounds heavier. In June, Hill said, "I want to be remembered as the most physical back in the country. I want to be somebody who can get all the tough yards—the fourth-and-ones, and all that"
Louisiana transfer, Dre Washington, was added as a depth piece, filling Alabama's preference for six scholarship running backs every season. Washington has impressed the Alabama staff. He plays at a powerful 216 lbs on a 5'9" frame. He is a shifty runner with good speed. Kalen DeBoer recently said of Washington, "Dre has been consistent all camp long. I thought he poured a couple of runs up in there. Did a nice job, maybe when there’s not even something there, just moving the pile and getting those three-yard gains that are important to setting your offense up for down-and-distances."
Alabama football fans can be excited about the Crimson Tide's running back room. The evolution of how all the depth will be used will be interesting.