That blowout loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff last year wasn’t just a bad game; it was a screaming wake-up call that Alabama’s once-feared running game had completely fallen off a cliff. Coach Kalen DeBoer knows it, and he is making it his number one priority this offseason to drag that physical identity back.
The Tide’s Rushing Woes Are a Deep Cut
Let’s be real, Bama’s offense has been missing that physical edge for too long under DeBoer, and the numbers don’t lie. They finished next-to-last in the SEC in rushing yards per game last season. Next-to-last! For a program that built its dynasty on overwhelming opponents at the line of scrimmage, that’s just wild. The CFP loss to Indiana? It didn’t just expose those concerns; it made them impossible to ignore. Indiana flat-out dominated Alabama up front, showing a physicality gap that no one could explain away. That disappointment shaped everything heading into the new season. DeBoer isn’t just looking for better numbers; he needs an offense that can impose its will, control the clock, and get those tough yards when finesse just won’t cut it. “We want to be able to run the football better. I think that will help our overall team,” DeBoer said. “That’s something that we’ve addressed and stressed within our team.”
New Faces, New Mentality Up Front?
So, how are they fixing this mess? DeBoer’s plan starts with solidifying the running back rotation early. Junior Daniel Hill and redshirt sophomore Kevin Riley are set to lead the charge, with AK Dear and true freshman EJ Crowell also getting opportunities. They’re searching for that dependable lead back, someone who can create yards even when the blocking isn’t perfect. Then there’s the offensive line, which is getting a full rebuild. Offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor left as a first-round NFL Draft pick, and center Parker Brailsford came off the board in the fifth round. Alabama is hitting player development hard and working the transfer portal to fill those crucial holes up front. Can this younger group develop the nastiness needed to compete in the SEC? That’s the million-dollar question because that kind of grit can be emphasized, but it can’t really be taught. “Hopefully we can find a group here that really jells together, communicates at a high level where everyone is on the same page,” DeBoer commented. “We have a younger group, but that leads to the eagerness these guys have to be coached and pushed.”
The Crimson Tide has shown flashes on the ground, but consistent power between the tackles has been missing. They haven’t controlled the line of scrimmage with the authority everyone expects from Alabama. This team needs to get comfortable winning ugly, converting those crucial short-yardage situations, and leaning on the offensive line to protect leads late in games. Last season, Alabama recorded just 42 rushing plays of at least 10 yards, their lowest total in over a decade. That lack of explosive runs clearly reflected an absence of a true featured back and an offense that leaned *away* from what Bama used to be. It’s time to see if DeBoer’s offseason priority pays off and if this team can finally punch back.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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