Alabama spring practice: Grading the Crimson Tide’s running back room

UA’s running back room in 2024 spring practice

Jam Miller

Justice Haynes

Richard Young

Daniel Hill

Summary:

Miller won the MVP award on A-Day, rushing for 83 yards and two scores on eight carries.

The Texas native is the Crimson Tide’s most experienced running back, having demonstrated the ability to be a tough and explosive runner as well as a threat out of the backfield previously. He finished his sophomore season with 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns, as well as 73 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Miller will have a shot to be Alabama’s top backfield option, but Haynes will be close behind.

Jam Miller breaks free for the BIG run. 🔥
pic.twitter.com/wpCsa2dpa8

— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) April 13, 2024

Haynes was regarded as one of the most complete running backs in the country after graduating from Buford High School. Although he only carried the football three times last Saturday, the promising sophomore continues to receive attention. In his freshman season, the Georgia product carried for 168 yards and two touchdowns. His most significant playing time came against Michigan in the Rose Bowl, where he carried for 22 yards on four runs.

Justice Haynes leading the way for Alabama’s backs during spring ball 💥 pic.twitter.com/XNz1KCCpxr

— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) March 7, 2024

Kalen DeBoer spoke highly of the Tide’s running back running back room during his press conference on A-Day.

“I thought they did a better job when they saw a hole today, they hit it,” DeBoer told reporters. “Especially early on, there were some seams and they’re not dancing, which suggests they’re becoming more comfortable with the schemes and trusting the offensive line. There were a few more tackles broken, which works both ways, right? You want to watch the defense’s tackles; there are more tackles broken early in the scrimmage than I’ve seen. We were pretty sure about our tackling until the early half of the scrimmage today. Then they responded and performed better.”

Richard Young flashed potential to possibly work himself into the Tide’s rotation when he rushed for 29 yards and one touchdown.

Richard Young did not want to go down. 😤😤

pic.twitter.com/V83eg6MfVL

— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) April 13, 2024

Hill was the only freshman back to participate in spring practice with Alabama. Kevin Riley, a four-star running back, will enroll this summer.