Jahmyr Gibbs will shrink the bullseye on the back of Bryce Young

Alabama already had the reigning Heisman Trophy winner coming back with Bryce Young under center. But did the Crimson Tide do enough this offseason to take some pressure off of him?

J.D. PicKell argued they did — and it’s because of one addition in particular.

The Crimson Tide hit the transfer portal and brought in former Georgia Tech running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs was one of the highest-rated transfers in the portal, coming in as the No. 3 transfer this offseason, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. In two years at Georgia Tech, Gibbs rushed for 1,206 yards and eight touchdowns while also catching 59 passes for 768 yards and five touchdowns. 

He has instant-impact potential in Tuscaloosa, and that’s why PicKell thinks he’ll make the Alabama offense even more lethal.

“The biggest point for me with Jahmyr Gibbs moving to Tuscaloosa is the fact that it just makes the Alabama offense that much more dangerous,” PicKell said on CFB with J.D. “They didn’t have a bad running game a season ago. They had ballers last year. Let’s call it what it was. They could do whatever they wanted offensively. But to add an All-American-caliber player at running back in Jahmyr Gibbs who can also catch the ball out of the backfield, that’s going to take so much more pressure off of Bryce Young.

“Because coming into this year, make no mistake about it, there is an enormous bullseye on Bryce Young. He’s got the Heisman Trophy in his bedroom. There’s a lot of people wanting to see what No. 9 does. So to be able to turn and hand it to No. [1] in Jahmyr Gibbs? That’s a huge luxury [that] makes this offense even more multi-dimensional. A season ago, they were great passing the ball. They were great running the ball. They’re going to be All-American level at both this coming season.”

How a potent Alabama offense got even better this year

Last year en route to the national championship, Alabama ranked seventh in the nation in total offense and sixth in scoring offense with 39.9 points per game. But the Crimson Tide hit the portal hard and added another major weapon besides Gibbs.

Former Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton is in the fold after becoming the No. 6 transfer to hit the portal this year, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. Burton ranked second on the Bulldogs in receiving behind freshman standout tight end Brock Bowers, totaling 497 receiving yards and five touchdowns to lead the Georgia wide receiver room. Now, he’ll pair up with Young to help with the losses Jameson Williams and John Metchie, who both left for the 2022 NFL Draft.