At their core, Alabama football devotees are some of the most loyal and passionate fans in the country. For the past twenty seasons, the Crimson Tide have reigned supreme in the college football world, winning six titles and double-digit games for 16 straight years while continuing to develop top-shelf NFL talent. Specifically, Alabama has housed some of the best running backs of the last generation, including Heisman Trophy winners Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram. Naturally, Alabama fans were surprised when a football-centric media outlet, On3 Sports, ranked them outside the top five running back units heading into the 2024 season.
National College Football columnist Jesse Simonton recently released his top ten running back units for next fall, with three SEC programs cracking the elite list. However, the Georgia Bulldogs, not the Crimson Tide, led the conference, with the Ole Miss Rebels as the next SEC team-up. Alabama football fans were frustrated with the rankings, taking to Simonton’s mentions to share their displeasure.
Alabama Football Fans: Feeling Slighted by Placement in Offseason Top-10 Ranking
The Alabama Crimson Tide will enter next season under the tutelage of Kalen DeBoer, formerly of the Washington Huskies. DeBoer will succeed football legend Nick Saban, who retired after 17 seasons and six titles with the program.
Top 10 College Football Running Back Units per @JesseReSimonton👀
Do you agree? ⬇️https://t.co/kzuzhqYD2Y pic.twitter.com/eLZsmXQnYV
— On3 (@On3sports) May 3, 2024
DeBoer and company will lean on a new group of highly talented rushers in 2024, but On3 Sports’ Jesse Simonton views them as something other than a top-five unit at this juncture of the offseason. Alabama football fans have let Simonton hear it via Twitter, not mincing words when displaying their disagreement with the writer.
lmao Bama should be top 3 at worst
— Ethan 🐘 (@TideOnTop_) May 3, 2024
1. Ohio State
2. UGA
3. Penn State
4. Bama
5. Texas
6. Miami
7. Texas A&M
8. Oregon
9. Kansas State
10. UCF— Always Talkin’ Ball Podcast (@AlwaysTalkBall) May 3, 2024
Yea..OK pic.twitter.com/MxnE1X5p4C
— Self-Made (@flyboyrich_1) May 3, 2024
lol bama has the best room in the country and it’s not close
— SCGT (@SCGTRTR) May 3, 2024
Alabama at 6 is laughable respectfully
— Grant Nelsons Burner (@18natties) May 3, 2024
Bama has a 3 headed monster in the RB group!
— drew (@djs_33) May 3, 2024
Alabama Football: Running Back Unit Heading Into 2024
The Alabama football program will have a new look backfield in 2024 outside quarterback Jalen Milroe. Running back Jase McClellan will suit up for the Atlanta Falcons next season after going in the sixth round of last month’s NFL draft. Meanwhile, fellow rusher Roydell Williams transferred to the Florida State Seminoles after spending four years in Tuscaloosa. As for next season, Jam Miller, Justice Haynes, and Richard Young project to lead the Alabama running back unit to begin the Kalen DeBoer era.
Miller, the fourth-ranked rusher in the class of 2022, per 247Sports, has accumulated 424 rushing yards on 5.7 yards per attempt across two seasons. Haynes, another highly-ranked prospect, rushed for 168 yards on 6.7 yards per attempt as a true freshman last season. Lastly, Young is a former four-star prospect from the 2023 class.
For More Football News:
For More Football News and to engage in further discussion, follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. I’m always open to your thoughts and insights. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!
