What makes Justice Haynes stand out from other freshmen under Nick Saban at Alabama

In 2017, Alabama averaged 250 rushing yards per game with Damien Harris and Najee Harris in the backfield. That proved to be the last season the Crimson Tide averaged 200 rushing yards per game as the passing game took off — a stark contrast to past years under Nick Saban.

This time around, though, there are questions around the quarterback position. But those concerns don’t exist at running back, and one star in the making is a big reason why.

“You look at the guys they have in the backfield. Roydell [Williams], Jase [McClellan]. But then, the guy that we believe at On3 … the dude’s going to be a stud. Justice Haynes, by the end of the year, could be the best tailback in the SEC,” On3’s Jesse Simonton told Andy Staples on Andy Staples On3. “And we’re talking about a freshman. That’s something that — he has Todd Gurley-esque freshman-type potential.”

Haynes brings plenty of hype with him to Tuscaloosa. A four-star recruit, he came in as the No. 33-ranked player in the country from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He comes from a football family, too. His father played for Georgia and, as Staples noted, Haynes’ future in Tuscaloosa could turn out much different than his dad’s did in Athens.

“His dad was a Georgia Bulldog,” Staples said. “Tennessee fans, cover your ears. Verron Haynes, the fullback who caught the winning touchdown pass against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in 2001 and Larry Munson said, ‘We stepped on their face with a hobnail boot and broke their nose.’ And he didn’t even know what a hobnail boot was. I think he just made it up. … Now Verron, he played in the NFL, but he was more of a role player on those Georgia teams. Justice Haynes [could] be a star.”

One thing that stands out about Haynes right away as he gets ready for his freshman season is how Saban talks about him. He raved about him during spring practice, and On3’s Matt Zenitz reported Haynes broke off some impressive runs in workouts.

Saban’s comments stood out to Simonton, who noticed the difference in how he talks about the freshman.

“We’re talking about a five-star that emerged right away in spring practice,” Simonton said. “Nick Saban, who at times … throughout his career has been hesitant to really laud praise on players in general, but specifically freshmen. He’s come out and has done the opposite of that with Justice Haynes. He has leaned in heavily that, ‘This guy’s going to be a Day 1 contributor for us.'”

Of course, Saban has spoken highly of freshmen in the past. But there’s a big quality that they all have.

“It’s not entirely unusual,” Staples responded. “He’s done that with other freshmen. But you can tell when he does that with a freshman, it’s somebody that he really likes and feels is very mature. Minkah Fitzpatrick comes to mind. … Jalen Hurts was another one like that.”

Simonton noted that connection between those names. Especially in the NIL era, Haynes’ approach — coupled with strong on-field play — makes him different than most other freshmen in Saban’s 15 years in Tuscaloosa.

“You know what the link between all these guys are? Mature kids who can handle the hype and are going to come in and put in the work,” Simonton said. “They’re not going to get blown up by NIL or ego or whatever. They’re going to come in and play.

“And this is the point. Alabama might not be the favorite. Georgia could buck 90 years of history and three-peat. But anyone shortchanging the Tide, they are so loaded. They still have the No. 1, probably 1-85 roster in America.”