Nick Saban provides positive update on Jase McClellan ahead of Rose Bowl
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Alabama head coach Nick Saban provided a positive update on running back Jase McClellan, who missed the SEC Championship Game due to a foot injury.
“Jase is doing great,” Saban said Wednesday. “He practiced yesterday and today. He looks good. We gave him a lot of time off to try to heal his foot, and it seems like it’s paid off.”
Does Saban expect McClellan to play in the Rose Bowl against No. 1 Michigan?
“(Barring) some setback and the way he’s practiced, I don’t see why he couldn’t play in the game,” the head coach said.
In Alabama’s win over Auburn to conclude the regular season, McClellan “tweaked” a foot injury he has dealt with all season, Saban said, which led the senior to miss the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. McClellan was in uniform for pregame warmups and fielded kickoffs but watched most of the drills before sporting street clothes for the game.
Top 10
- 1
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 2Trending
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
- 3
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
- 4Hot
5-star flip
Ole Miss flips Alabama WR commit Caleb Cunningham
- 5
Second CFP Top 25
Newest CFP rankings are out
McClellan rushed for 66 yards on 15 carries and caught an 8-yard pass in the Iron Bowl before his exit in the fourth quarter. The senior running back is Alabama’s leading rusher this season with 803 yards and six touchdowns on 166 carries (4.84 ypc). He also leads the Tide running back room with 13 catches for 126 yards through 12 regular-season games.
Alabama senior Roydell Williams earned his first start at running back against the Bulldogs and finished the game as the Crimson Tide’s leading rusher with 64 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Jam Miller rose into the No. 2 tailback role and saw nine handoffs for 23 yards. But based on Saban’s Wednesday comments, UA will get its leading rusher back.
Alabama will practice again on Thursday, Dec. 28, at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!
Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $9.99! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!
