Alabama has a talented RB room, but the group has a lot to prove. The Crimson Tide has been underwhelming in the backfield the last couple of years and has not had a game-changer in the backfield since Jahmyr Gibbs.
The return of Jam Miller was important for experience and continuity, but Miller has lacked explosiveness in the backfield. He's going to be the starter, at least to open the season, but Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb will hope to identify another couple of backs capable of carrying some of the workload, and perhaps giving the Tide some explosive plays.
Louisiana transfer Dre Washington was brought in for just that. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry at Louisiana last season and has had a 50+ yard run every season of his three-year career. Washington was brought here to play, not to sit on the bench in the final season of his collegiate career.
But following the spring, Washington was looking like the No. 4 guy in line. Rising junior Richard Young has been the presumed No. 2 in the backfield, and he worked in that spot on day one of fall camp. But sophomore Daniel Hill had a terrific spring, and he stood third in line on Wednesday.
That doesn't mean Washington can't find a role, too, but in a pass-first offense like DeBoer and Grubb run, finding carries for four running backs will be difficult. Washington seems ready to make a move up the depth chart, however, and DeBoer offered him some praise after Wednesday's practice.
Kalen DeBoer spoke highly of Louisiana transfer Dre Washington on day one of fall camp
"I thought he had a really nice practice today," DeBoer said about Washington. "You can see a new guy come in and now he's seeing the install a second, third time from spring, summer, to fall. And how we were talking about the quarterback position and how it's clocking more. So he's got himself right in the mix, for sure, as we kind've narrow it down."
It'll be interesting to see how many backs can get legitimate carries this year. Last year, only Miller and Justice Haynes got more than 30 carries in the RB room. That was obviously impacted by Jalen Milroe carrying the ball a team-leading 168 times. While Ty Simpson is more of a dual-threat than the national media gives him credit for, it seems unlikely that he'll carry the ball as often as Milroe did.
That could open the door for a third tailback to find legitimate playing time. Miller will get his carries. It seems obvious that Young will get good playing time this year, too. That third spot could come down to Hill and Washington, who are both pushing to move up the depth chart.