Alabama Hopes Talented Running Back Room Will Emerge as Offensive Backbone Following Departure of Dynamic Quarterback Jalen Milroe
With Jalen Milroe now preparing for his professional career in the NFL, Alabama football is at a turning point. The former quarterback left a significant impact on the Crimson Tide offense, leading them with a dynamic skill set that combined speed, strength, and a steadily improving passing game. As Milroe moves on to the next stage of his football journey, the focus in Tuscaloosa naturally shifts to who—and what—will fill the void left behind. While a new quarterback competition brews, the most immediate and perhaps most important solution lies in Alabama’s running back room.
The Crimson Tide have a proud tradition of dominant running backs, from Derrick Henry to Najee Harris, and now they’re looking to the current roster to take control of the offensive engine room. While recent years have seen a more quarterback-centric approach, the 2025 season feels like a throwback opportunity. With uncertainty under center and the departure of a playmaker like Milroe, Alabama may revert to its bruising, ground-and-pound style, demanding more from the backfield than it has in seasons past.
Leading the charge are a handful of talented backs who, though young or relatively untested, offer Alabama fans plenty of reasons for optimism. At the top of that list is Jam Miller, a junior who has shown flashes of promise in limited action. Miller has the physical tools to be a feature back in the SEC: vision, burst, and the toughness to finish runs. His performances in spot duty last season gave fans a glimpse of what he could be with more touches. Now, with the offensive load shifting, Miller is in a prime position to break out.
Behind him, Justice Haynes is perhaps the most intriguing name. A former five-star recruit, Haynes arrived in Tuscaloosa with immense hype and pedigree. While he sat behind more experienced backs last season, his potential is undeniable. Haynes brings a unique blend of agility and top-end speed, combined with pass-catching ability that could be vital as Alabama transitions into a new offensive era. In fact, Haynes could easily become Alabama’s most dangerous weapon if used properly.
Then there’s Richard Young, another highly touted young back whose size and power recall some of Alabama’s classic downhill runners. Though he didn’t see much action last season, his development will be worth watching. With a full offseason in the weight room and playbook, Young could become a short-yardage weapon or develop into a complementary option depending on how the depth chart plays out. He may not be ready to take the lead role yet, but Alabama rarely lets such talent sit unused for long.
Newcomers to the program also add intrigue. The 2024 recruiting class includes talented running backs like Kevin Riley and Daniel Hill, both of whom were highly sought-after recruits. While true freshmen often face steep learning curves in the SEC, it’s not unheard of for a newcomer to make an early impact. If either can catch on quickly, they’ll further crowd an already competitive room and push the upperclassmen to elevate their game.
Running backs coach Robert Gillespie will be tasked with managing this group and extracting their full potential. Gillespie has been praised for his work developing talent and maintaining Alabama’s high standards at the position. He’ll have a wealth of tools to work with, but also the challenge of ensuring everyone gets meaningful reps. Balancing development with production will be key, especially if the Crimson Tide lean more heavily on the run game early in the season.
This strategic shift may also benefit the offensive line, which returns several key pieces. The line, which had mixed results last year in both pass protection and run blocking, will be under pressure to assert itself in 2025. If the running game is to thrive, the big men up front must open holes and control the line of scrimmage. Alabama’s offensive line legacy demands consistency, and they may now be the most important unit on the field.
Alabama’s new quarterback—whoever wins the job—will be stepping into big shoes. Milroe’s departure doesn’t just remove a talented arm and a mobile threat from the field; it removes a leader and stabilizer from the locker room. Until the new QB finds his rhythm, the offense needs a safety valve. That’s where the running backs come in. A solid ground game can take pressure off a young quarterback, shorten games, control tempo, and grind out tough SEC wins.
It’s also about identity. Nick Saban’s Alabama teams were once known for their smothering defense and punishing run game. In recent years, that identity has evolved as the game has changed. With Milroe, Alabama began to experiment more with tempo, spread looks, and quarterback-designed runs. But now there’s an opportunity to reestablish the traditional Alabama toughness on offense. A deep, versatile, and productive running back room could be the perfect foundation for that.
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, brought in from Washington, will handle this transition. Known for a wide-open, pass-happy system, Grubb may be challenged to adapt to the strengths of his current roster. If the quarterbacks are slow to develop or inconsistent, he may have no choice but to rely on the backs to carry the offense. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—it could bring balance and versatility to the scheme.
In terms of schedule, Alabama won’t have long to figure things out. The Crimson Tide face a challenging slate, including early matchups that will test their physicality and depth. If the running back room starts fast and shows it can produce consistently, it could be the stabilizing factor that guides Alabama through any early turbulence. On the flip side, if no clear leader emerges or the group struggles with fumbles, pass protection, or durability, the pressure on the quarterback position will be even more intense.
There’s also the intangible factor: hunger. Most of the backs in the current room were high-profile recruits who chose Alabama knowing they’d have to wait their turn. That time has come. They’ve trained, studied, and watched from the sidelines. Now, they have the opportunity to step into the spotlight and become the next generation of Crimson Tide stars. The internal competition alone could drive excellence, and history shows that when Alabama running backs are pushed, great things happen.
Ultimately, the success of Alabama’s 2025 offense may not hinge solely on who starts at quarterback, but on whether the running back group rises to the occasion. They won’t just be asked to move the chains—they’ll be asked to lead, to grind out tough yards, to catch passes out of the backfield, and to protect their quarterback in crucial moments. It’s a lot to ask, but the expectations in Tuscaloosa are always high.
With Jalen Milroe gone, the torch must be passed. Not just to the next quarterback, but to the entire offense. The running back room, deep with talent and filled with promise, now has a chance to take center stage. If they do, Alabama could very well find itself right back in the playoff conversation and beyond. If they don’t, the offense could sputter while looking for a new identity.
But betting against Alabama’s backfield has rarely worked out in the past. From Shaun Alexander to Mark Ingram, from Trent Richardson to Najee Harris, the position has always found a way to thrive. Now it’s time for a new name—or several—to join that list.
One thing is certain: the road to success in 2025 runs through Alabama’s running backs.
