Running back viewed as one of Alabama's strongest positions ahead of 2023 season

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – There are a few position groups that can make the case for the strongest on Alabama’s roster, but Nick Saban lobbied for the running back room to kick off fall camp.

“I actually think there’s four guys in the running back room that have really done a good job,” Saban said. “Jase (McClellan) has been a really good leader. Roydell (Williams) has always set a really good example. He’s a good special teams players, as well as a good runner. Loves to play on teams, loves to do whatever he can to help the team. Jase has really stepped up and set a good example.

“And the two young players, Justice (Haynes) and Jam (Miller), have done really, really well, too. Of course, we have a new addition, the new freshman (Richard Young), but he’s probably a little bit behind the other guys just from a learning standpoint. But I like all those guys. I think they all have great attitude, and I think that’s one of the strongest positions from a depth standpoint on our team.”

As the head coach pointed out, Alabama welcomed back three tailbacks that earned carries last year. McClellan was the Crimson Tide’s No. 2 running back behind first-round selection Jahmyr Gibbs and is poised to be the top option out of the backfield to start the 2023 campaign. But UA also has Williams and Miller back from last year’s team who are both capable of shouldering the load. In addition to the returning trio, Alabama added a pair of top-100 backs to the mix.

Haynes was on campus for the team’s bowl prep and shined throughout the spring. Joining him from the 2023 signing class was Young, who arrived on campus this summer. Saban said he is behind the players that have been in the program longer at the moment, but McClellan, a leader in the running back room, shared how he is helping bring the newcomer this preseason.

“Showing him the mindset you’ve gotta have coming here,” McClellan said. “He’s a young guy, he just got here, so showing him how to practice, how to practice with teammates, what to do outside of practice, how to prepare your body and just the plays, getting in the playbook.”

Being prepared is not something only the new guy in the room is focusing on this preseason.

“All of us are getting ready to play,” McClellan said. “Something we talked about is being more physical, being downhill runners. That’s something we’re working on right now … being prepared and getting all those guys ready. If somebody goes down, then the next guy up, being ready and no drop-off. Having all those guys ready, even when you come in as a freshman.”

How Alabama will distribute the carries between four – and possibly five down the road – backs will be intriguing to see how it plays out. The highest number of running backs the Tide will settle on is three, with others providing depth and contributing on special teams. The impressive depth stood out to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who is a fan of “running the damn ball.”

“I think we have a great group there,” Rees said of Alabama’s running backs. “We have a really healthy blend of some veteran guys. Obviously, we have a couple of young players in the room still. I think they all play a physical brand of football. They’re extremely well prepared. Coach (Robert) Gillespie does an unbelievable job with that room. Really never any issues. They know their assignment. They play hard. They play physical, and we have a great blend of guys that can do kind of a little bit different things coming out of the backfield in the pass game, running between the tackles.

“So we’re a little bit spoiled at that position, if I’m being honest with you. We’re very talented there, and I’m excited to see how the pieces fall together and excited to see how we can enhance some of those guys’ roles moving forward.”

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