Ryan Grubb has a clear vision for the Alabama football run game this fall. The Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator is emphasizing physicality and technical precision from his runners, who must excel in a variety of schemes, including inside and outside zone, counters, pin-pulls, powers, and sweeps. While these concepts aren’t new to Alabama, Grubb stresses that running the ball effectively is as much about mentality as it is about execution.
“I think the guys know that to win the late games and the playoffs, there has to be a mindset and demeanor that you’ve got to be able to run the football,” Grubb said.
For Alabama, this mindset extends beyond the running back room, which features talents like Jam Miller, Richard Young, and Louisiana transfer Dre’lyn Washington. It also hinges on the performance of the offensive line, a unit that’s currently in flux as spring practice begins. While some pieces are solidified—Parker Brailsford at center, Jaeden Roberts at right guard, and Kadyn Proctor at left tackle—other spots remain up for grabs. Wilkin Formby is expected to take over at right tackle following Elijah Pritchett’s transfer to Nebraska, while the right guard position is a battle between Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry, freshman Michael Carroll, and returning players like Olaus Alinen.
The bigger concern for Alabama, however, is the lack of depth along the offensive line. With only four freshmen—Carroll, Jackson Lloyd, Micah DeBose, and Mal Waldrep Jr.—behind the starters, and injuries already affecting the group (including Proctor), the Crimson Tide face a challenge in building a reliable rotation.
Grubb, a former offensive line coach at Fresno State, Eastern Michigan, and Sioux Falls, sees spring practice as the perfect opportunity to address this issue. “Yeah, we’ve got a couple guys out, for sure, which just means more reps and opportunities for young guys,” Grubb said. “Guys like Jackson Lloyd getting in there and taking reps is really important. We’re looking at it from the standpoint that all of these guys who need to be developed are absolutely going to have an opportunity.”
Development will be key for Alabama as it prepares for the 2025 season. The Crimson Tide added Dewberry, a former freshman All-American at Texas A&M whose role diminished in 2024, and Ball State transfer Arkel Anugwom, who has limited experience at left tackle. Despite the questions up front, running back Jam Miller remains confident in the group.
When asked about the offensive line, Miller described a “big, physical” unit that’s “just grinding” and working to improve every day. That’s exactly the kind of line Alabama will need to meet Grubb’s expectations for the run game.
“Right now, all of our guys are training, being physical,” Miller said. “Whoever is in the game, whoever is in practice, they’re going to go out there and do their thing.”
Alabama will wrap up its spring practice schedule with the annual A-Day spring game at Bryant-Denny Stadium on April 12 at noon.
Leave a Reply