Jahmyr Gibbs already making impression on new Alabama teammates

ATLANTA — Jahmyr Gibbs hasn’t been on the Alabama campus long. That hasn’t stopped the transfer running back out of Georgia Tech from making his presence known though. In fact, he’s already making quite the impression on his new teammates — and coaches, for that matter.

While at SEC Media Days, there were plenty of questions about several of Alabama’s new transfers. But the responses to questions about Gibbs coming from star players such as quarterback Bryce Young and safety Jordan Battle should certainly catch your attention.

What’s the first thing that stands out? I’d argue it’s how quickly Gibbs has picked things up in Tuscaloosa. Whether you’re talking about the offense or the culture, the rising junior just seems to get it.

“Jah is super explosive, super dynamic, and he’s really smart,” Young said on Tuesday. “He understands the offense really well, even in the short time that he got here and he’s been here. Back when he got here, it felt like he’s been here for most of the year, that’s how well he understood the offense. Smart not just in running the ball and receiving out of the backfield but also in protection, too. He knows where he always needs to be. I’m super excited to watch him, to play alongside him. It’s been really fun just being able to play with him and practice.”

Look, there’s a reason On3 has Gibbs rated as the No. 3 transfer portal player. This is a guy who did it all for the Yellow Jackets.

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In two seasons, he rushed for over 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He was an effective option as a receiver out of the backfield, bringing in 59 catches for 768 yards and five scores. Plus, he was an impactful kick returner, averaging 25.6 yards with one returned for six.

Gibbs also has a competitiveness to him. That’s something else that stood out when hearing his teammates talk about him.

“He’s a great competitor,” Battle told reporters. “He’s very fun off the field, as well. We’re actually locker mates. He’s right next to me, so we talk a lot. We have a class together. Jahmyr’s a cool guy. On the field, he’s a great back. He’s fast, elusive and he can also catch the ball. He’s a good matchup for linebackers, as well. And our linebackers are getting better covering him in practice.”

Anyone who has kept up with the Alabama program understands the importance of iron sharpening iron. It’s great to hear that Gibbs is fitting into the locker room, but it’s also fantastic to learn that he’s making his teammates better behind the scenes. We’ve heard about that sort of thing a lot from various practice battles over the years.

Nick Saban also used a word to describe Gibbs that I believe is worth mentioning: mature.

“He’s an outstanding player,” Saban said. “He’s a very mature person. He’s got great work ethic. He’s very talented from an ability standpoint. He’s got speed. He’s a really good receiver. He does a great job of pressing holes and getting the defense to commit to things and making a cut and gets to top speed very quickly, which are all tremendous assets for a running back.

“He’s made a really, really positive impact on our team in a lot of ways, on the field and off. And we’re very pleased to have him in the program.”

To summarize, Gibbs is dynamic, mature, a quick learner and a great competitor. That sounds like a guy who should fit in well with Alabama’s culture and other talent.