A Season of Struggles
Alabama’s rushing attack struggled mightily in 2025, ranking near the bottom of the SEC with just over 100 yards per game on the ground.
The lack of a dominant runner showed up in the crunch, with only one 100‑yard effort all season, a 136‑yard outing by Jam Miller against Vanderbilt. In the loss to Oklahoma, Daniel Hill shouldered the bulk of carries, while Kevin Riley managed 69 yards and two short touchdowns in blowout wins.
The historical perspective is stark: the Crimson Tide have not produced a 1,000‑yard rusher since Brian Robinson’s departure, a milestone that underscores the program’s recent dearth at the position.
Freshman Hopefuls
Adding to the uncertainty is the health of freshman EJ Crowell, a highly touted recruit who arrives with more than 6,000 high school rushing yards and 91 touchdowns but is currently nursing a lower‑body injury.
Coach Kalen DeBoer is overseeing a backfield that will also feature inexperienced quarterbacks Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, while other names on the roster such as Ty Simpson and Colin Gay are expected to provide depth.
The coaching staff, which includes veteran voices like TJ Yeldon, is weighing how to restore balance, especially as the offense leans heavily on the passing game.
If the trend continues, the 2026 season may hinge on whether Crowell can stay healthy and whether the committee can extract more yards on the ground to complement a potent aerial attack.