The biggest Alabama Football position battles to watch
Alabama Football enters a new era in 2024 under head coach Kalen DeBoer, and while the roster is set he'll have a few tough decisions when it comes to naming starters. The team lost 16 players who were either starters or key rotational players to the transfer portal and the NFL Draft. The talent is there for Kalen DeBoer to replace these players but, some camp battles will determine several key roles in 2024.
Alabama Football: Plenty of positions still set
While Alabama will have plenty of turnovers, the team still has plenty of players still set in their positions. One of the best things a program can have is a quarterback that's returning and the Alabama Football team still has Jalen Milroe. The team also returns its starting guards with Tyler Booker and Jaeden Roberts returning. On defense, the team also returns two experienced middle linebackers, experienced interior defensive linemen, and a Safety with experience in Malachi Moore.
Running Back
The Alabama Crimson Tide will be replacing its top two running backs with Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams leaving the program. The duo rushed for a combined 1,450 yards and 13 Touchdowns and added 195 yards and a touchdown receiving. The running back room, however, is loaded with talent both returning and incoming from traditional recruiting.
The Front Runners: Jam Miller and Justice Haynes
The two front runners to be the featured back in the Kalen DeBoer Ryan Grubb offense are Sophomore Justice Haynes and Junior Jam Miller.
Haynes was a top recruit at running back and saw the most playing time he got all season in the Rose Bowl. Haynes finished with 168 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 carries. Haynes flashed his potential in the Rose Bowl ripping off a pair decent sized runs against the stout Michigan defense.
Jam Miller on the other hand was more of a rotational back for the Alabama Football team serving as the third running back for a majority of the season. Miller had 201 yards and a touchdown on 41 carries and added 73 yards and a touchdown on four catches.
The duo of Haynes and Miller will in all likelihood split the load at running back like we saw McClellan and Williams. The duo provides a higher upside as a rushing duo with more versatility in the passing game and a higher potential for explosive plays. Now when it comes to who starts games at running back all signs point toward Justice Haynes as the featured back.
Others in the mix: Richard Young, Daniel Hill, and Kevin Riley
Richard Young as a recruit was highly regarded similar to the way Justice Haynes was as a four-star recruit and the seventh-ranked running back, and could be a breakout candidate in 2024. In the mix for playing time will also be 2024 signees Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley a pair of four-star recruits. This group will compete for the role that Jam Miller filled as the third back. With his experience and talent, Richard Young will enter camp in the lead but, no one should be shocked if either of the Freshmen plays a big role in 2024.