A pivotal offseason for the backfield
Alabama’s offense entered the 2025 season with a glaring deficiency: a rushing attack that managed just over 100 yards per game, a figure that placed the Crimson Tide near the bottom of the SEC.
Coach Kalen DeBoer, now in his second year at the helm, has emphasized a balanced attack, but the numbers from last year underscore the urgency of a turnaround.
Enter EJ Crowell, a highly touted freshman who arrives with a pedigree of over 6,000 high school rushing yards and 91 touchdowns, though he is still nursing a lower‑body injury that limited his preseason work.
Daniel Hill, who saw the most carries in a recent matchup against Oklahoma, posted a career‑high rushing total that sparked optimism among the coaching staff about his ability to shoulder more of the load.
Kevin Riley, meanwhile, demonstrated his knack for finding the end zone in blowout victories, racking up 69 yards and two touchdowns in those games, suggesting he could be a reliable short‑yardage option.
Jam Miller’s lone 100‑yard performance last season remains the only instance of a back reaching that milestone, a reminder that the team has yet to produce a consistent workhorse.
The quarterback competition will involve Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, Keelon Russell, and other emerging arms such as Brian Robinson, TJ Yeldon, and Colin Gay, all of whom are expected to inherit starting duties despite limited experience.
If the Crimson Tide can coalesce a more potent ground game, the new‑look offense may finally break free from its one‑dimensional tendencies and give the team a chance to compete for a championship.