Jahmyr Gibbs provides update on his health, progress from late-season injury

Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs tweaked his ankle last month but the Crimson Tide star looks like he is good to go for the Sugar Bowl against Kansas State. He was also one of a few stars to not opt out of the New Year’s Six Bowl, giving head coach Nick Saban a full slate of gifted playmakers to use against the Wildcats.

Gibbs made it clear his ankle was not an issue. In fact when he was asked about it, he kept his answer pretty short.

“I’m straight,” Gibbs said. “I’ll be good.”

Gibbs did not crack 1,000 yards on the ground this year, but had a career season with the Crimson Tide. In 11 games this year, Gibbs has 136 carries for 850 yards, seven touchdowns, 6.3 yards per carry, 42 catches, 378 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Gibbs was a four-star prospect out of Dalton (G.A.) High, according to the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 13 overall prospect in the class, the No. 9 running back in the class and the No. 79 overall prospect in the class.

“I think I was always gonna play,” Gibbs said. “I’ve never been in (a bowl game) and I wanted to experience that.”

Gibbs was also asked how excited he was to be playing in his first bowl game. The star running back did not make the postseason while with Georgia Tech.

“Very exciting,” Gibbs said. “I’ve never been in one, so yeah, I’m just very excited to be in one.”

The Sugar Bowl will also serve as the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

“We’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for Kansas State. They play with toughness, they’re very well coached,” Saban said. “They’re a very disciplined team. They’re ball-hawkers, they attack the ball – I had a lot of respect for coach Snyder when he was there and the great job he did for many, many years. Chris has certainly picked up and built what has turned out to be an outstanding team for this year.”

No. 5 Alabama (10-2) takes on No. 9 Kansas State (10-3) in the Sugar Bowl Dec. 31 at 12:00 p.m. ET.