Kalen DeBoer makes it clear what he wants from Alabama RBs before Week 1

With Jam Miller out, Kalen DeBoer made it clear what he wants to see from the RB room ahead of Alabama's season opener against Florida State.
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With a week to go until Alabama travels to Tallahassee to battle Florida State, the RB depth chart is in flux in the aftermath of senior Jam Miller's dislocated collarbone, which he suffered during the Crimson Tide's second and final scrimmage of fall camp.

Alabama has five additional scholarship running backs on the roster behind Miller, but the competition for carries against Florida State seems likely to come down to three backs: redshirt sophomore Richard Young, redshirt freshman Daniel Hill, and senior Louisiana transfer Dre Washington.

Which back will take a featured role next weekend is still to be determined, something that Ryan Grubb mentioned earlier in the week after practice. Kalen DeBoer echoed those sentiments on Thursday while stating what he needs to see over the next week to help make a decision on who gets the work.

“Just looking for someone to separate themselves," DeBoer said. "That’s really the situation. I feel like Jam was certainly at a higher level, and we need these guys. I know they’re hungry and they want to do it, now they’ve just got to show us. It’s not just one area. It’s all phases. It’s running the ball. It’s pass protection. It’s just all those things combined. Each guy’s got some tools, got some things they can do. Just need them to stand out, because there’s kind of a logjam there. Each of them have their strengths, and they all can fit into the offense in some form or fashion.”

Kalen DeBoer wants a running back to separate from the pack

It was clear from DeBoer's comments earlier in fall camp that Jam Miller had separated himself from the rest of the running backs, creating a clear pecking order. He was well out in front with the logjam behind him.

Most figure that Young would be the top candidate to replace Miller. He's in his third year in the program and is a former 5-star recruit. He flashed with some meaningful carries last year in between nagging injuries, and this seems to be a big opportunity for him.

But DeBoer needs to see more out of Young, clearly. Grubb mentioned before the need for Young to continue to develop as a pass-catcher out of the backfield and with picking up blitzes in protection. Ty Simpson will be making his first career start, on the road in a hostile environment to boot, and will need to be able to rely on the guy next to him in the backfield to have his back.

Hill is the most physical of the bunch and has no problem sticking his nose in to make a block. The only question with him is how comfortable he is with doing so. He's the youngest of the trio in contention for playing time.

Washington is the most experienced and has a proven track record as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield. He may be the most reliable option, but Grubb specifically mentioned his development as a pass blocker as a work in progress.

Unless one of the backs emerges during preparation for Florida State as well ahead of the others, a timeshare in the backfield seems likely next weekend. The guy who gets the most playing time will probably be whoever is the most consistent during the game.