Alabama's biggest priority on offense heading into the 2026 season is fixing a dormant run game. The Crimson Tide had one of the worst seasons in program history on the ground in 2025. They couldn't run the ball on pretty much anyone and had to rely on Ty Simpson's heroics throughout the season. When they ran into elite teams in the postseason, both Georgia and Indiana made them pay with humiliating defeats.
To avoid a similar fate this season, Alabama is hyper-focused in fall camp on getting that aspect of the offense figured out.
Kalen DeBoer and company overhauled the offensive line by bringing in 11 new bodies up front. DeBoer hired a new OL coach in Adrian Klemm and a TE coach in Richard Owens, who has extensive experience coaching offensive lines.
"Between he (Klemm) and Rich Owens, super excited to work with those two guys and resurrecting the run game. And we will," Grubb said on Thursday.
One of the keys to resurrecting Alabama's run game will be at tight end, where the Crimson Tide believes it has finally found effective replacements for Robbie Ouzts, who was an invaluable piece of the puzzle in 2024 that Alabama didn't have last season. One of those players is Oklahoma State transfer Josh Ford, who has earned praise all offseason long. Grubb let out a big smile when asked about how Ford is impacting the run game.
"Awesome," Grubb said. "Ford’s been great, man. His mindset, demeanor, how he works. I just think, he’s a big guy, right? Six-five and a half, 270+ pounds, he’s just a force in there at the Y position.
Ford isn't alone, though. Alabama returns Danny Lewis Jr., who is finally healthy after a myriad of injuries during his time in Tuscaloosa. He was in line for a big role a year ago, but was just never 100%.
"The guy that we’re excited about as well is Danny Lewis, getting that guy back," Grubb said. "You have two real “Ys” that are proven blockers, guys that can do it in this league."
Josh Ford and Danny Lewis Jr. will give Alabama's run game a significant boost in 2026
Between Ford and Lewis, Alabama will have two capable "Y" TEs to help move people in the run game. The NFL has been moving to more 12- and 13-personnel in recent years, a trend Alabama could duplicate some of, particularly when it comes to running the football. Ford and Lewis are capable receivers, too, and Kaleb Edwards is a big body capable of doing it all at the position.
Lewis being healthy is an underrated storyline. He's kinda been forgotten about as a result, but his return is a big deal. He's an experienced player who has done it at this level.
Lewis' return to the field has been inspiring for the team and the coaching staff.
“Danny Lewis might be one of the best stories from camp," Grubb said. "Watching him, the resilience that kid has to come back out and compete at this level, it’s really inspiring."
Lewis initially entered the Transfer Portal following the 2024 season, but the coaching staff made him a priority and convinced him to return. He was set to be a key piece of the offense a season ago, and that hasn't changed. He won't have as big a burden to try to carry now, however, with the addition of Ford. That should help him stay healthy for the full grind of the season.
As important as determining the best five on the offensive line will be for the running game, having a pair of capable blocking tight ends will be invaluable to Alabama football looking like Alabama football again.
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