Jase McClellan provides details on his return from injury this offseason

The Alabama Crimson Tide returns running back Jase McClellan for the 2022 season after a mid-season ACL tear side cut short his sophomore campaign.

McClellan had totaled 288 yards (191 rushing, 97 receiving) and four touchdowns in a little more than four games before Saban announced he was out for the season with “a knee.”

On Thursday, the third-year back described his rehabilitation time away from the field.

“It’s been a rough process, just going in the training every day, working on things,” McClellan said. “Working on my balance and my strength, getting my strength back. But it’s been good coming back on the field, getting back used to everything.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“Coming in every day, working and getting my inflections in, the guys downstairs, using the great technology they have, working with them every day, seeing what I can do at home to get better.”

McClellan is “back”

Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban praised McClellan for how he’s bounced back this week.

“He’s done great,” Saban said. “He’s really played well. No limitations, no limitations at scrimmages, no limitations in practice. Explosive, made some really good runs in the last scrimmage. Made a lot of people miss. Good receiver, can play with power. He has done really well.”

The Texas native told reporters he felt no hesitation getting back into pads and feels “back” after 10 months of recovery.

“When we started fall camp, getting back into pads, just feeling my movement, seeing that I can still balance and run the same I felt like I was back,” McClellan said. “Recently after Scrimmage 2, just seeing myself pretty good, I felt great.”

“I wasn’t very much tentative, I was ready to come back. I was working hard every day. You know, once I got back into pads, I was just telling myself that I’m still the same, and I can still play.”

McClellan was a member of Nick Saban’s 2020 signing class. Once he arrived in Tuscaloosa, he began contributing in a clean-up role as a freshman. He posted 245 yards on 23 carries, which included an 80-yard breakaway run.

The former top-50 recruit has shown his potential for two years but this could be the breakout season fans have waited on. Coming out of Aledo High School, the 5-foot-11 running back was the No. 6 prospect at his position and No. 6 in the state of Texas, according to the On3 Consensus.

McClellan will compete for reps with Georgia Tech transfer Jahmyr Gibbs who’s created SEC newcomer of the year buzz already.