Junior-to-senior year pics show just how ripped Jam Miller has gotten

With one more opportunity to realize his potential and force himself onto NFL radars, Alabama senior RB Jam Miller has clearly taken this offseason seriously. The Texas native has received rave reviews from head coach Kalen DeBoer and a number of his teammates. He is the Crimson Tide's unquestioned No. 1 RB - and he's hoping to shine like so many have previously in the Alabama backfield.

Miller has always been a stout RB. He models his game after former Heisman winner Mark Ingram for a reason. But his physical transformation from his junior season to now is almost unbelievable.

Must be that deer antler spray (IYKYK).

Jam Miller is looking for a breakout senior season

DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb seem committed to running the football this season. Last year, Alabama's running game with its RBs was inconsistent throughout the year. The only effective way Alabama ever seemed to move the ball on the ground was with designed Jalen Milroe runs and when he scrambled on pass plays.

Ty Simpson, Alabama's newly minted starting quarterback, is plenty mobile on his own, but running the football more effectively in the traditional sense is a major point of emphasis for the offense this season.

Miller was the Tide's RB1 last year and led the RB room in rushing with 668 yards and 7 touchdowns, but on just 4.7 yards per carry. It was the lowest yards per carry average for Alabama's leading running back since 2006, when Kenneth Darby averaged 4.0 yards per carry in Mike Shula's final season as head coach. It was only the second time since 2007 that Alabama's leading running back had a yards per carry average under 5.0, and the second consecutive year that was the case.

That speaks to Alabama's talent level in the backfield being reduced the last two seasons after Jahmyr Gibbs left for the NFL Draft, but it also speaks to a Crimson Tide offensive line that just hasn't been up to par for a couple of seasons, either.

That should be fixed in 2025, with an experienced and talented group up front. That's true of the starters, and while the reserves are plenty talented, they lack on the experience front. Alabama will need to stay healthy on the offensive line to achieve its goals this season.

They'll also need Miller to reach the potential he displayed as a recruit and in his first two seasons as a reserve. He's certainly put in the work for that to be a reality, but the results on the field have to follow.