Jase McClellan discusses depth in running back room, addition of Jahmyr Gibbs

Despite his status of being a former top-50 recruit, Alabama‘s Jase McClellan has been forced to bide his time in the Crimson Tide running back room, only amassing 63 carries through two seasons. Now, he’s expected to earn himself an extended role in the Crimson Tide offense as the No. 2 featured back behind Georgia Tech transfer Jahmyr Gibbs.

“It’s a competition every day,” McClellan said. “We’re all the same being a great running back room, and we all gotta work together every day in practice. That’s what we do.”

Despite the depth already in the Crimson Tide running back room following last season, the addition of Gibbs was a welcome sight for the entire program, especially those at tailback.

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“We just welcomed him in like a brother. He wanted to come join us, so we welcomed,” McClellan said. “We’re thankful for him, happy he wanted to come here. He adds something special to the group.”

Gibbs is listed as the No. 2 running back headed into the 2022 season, per Gibbs’ On3 College Rating, but was a four-star recruit out of high school. As the No. 80 player in the Class of 2020, per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Gibbs eventually committed to Georgia Tech where he contributed mightily to both the running and passing games for the Yellow Jackets over the past two seasons.

Elsewhere in the running back room, Trey Sanders returns for another season after finishing second on the team in rushing last year (314), and junior Roydell Williams is also back for his junior campaign. Four-star incoming freshman Jamarion Miller also joins the running back room for the 2022 season as well, though isn’t expected to contribute too heavily this season.

With a running back room that stretches five-deep filled with former blue-chip prospects, it’s just another insurance policy for Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young. If Young can continue his dominance and also rely on his running back room to fall back on, there’s no doubt Young and the Crimson Tide can walk away from the 2022 season as national champions.