Jahmyr Gibbs opens up on sharing the backfield with other talented running backs

An annual occurrence for the Alabama Crimson Tide, the running back room in Tuscaloosa is one of the deepest in the country. Star running back Jahmyr Gibbs discussed what it’s like to rotate with several talented tailbacks and how it improves his game as well.

“It’s great rotating with those guys,” Gibbs said during his media availability Monday. “We all bring a different element to the game, but we all know what to do, so we kind of copy off of each other.”

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Jase McClellan is Alabama’s secondary running back. He’s taken 35 carries – only eight less than Gibbs – for 256 yards and three touchdowns – one more than Gibbs. The has similar frames and pose similar threats when they’re on the field together. Fellow tailbacks Jamarion Miller and Roydell Williams have combined for 267 rushing yards as well to round out the ground game for ‘Bama.

Together, the ground has accounted for 1,257 rushing yards this season, good for second in the SEC behind Ole Miss‘ 1,309. Still, there’s no question who spearheads the Crimson Tide running back room, and that was on full display Week 5 against Arkansas.

Gibbs ran for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries with 11.4 yards per rush against the Razorbacks. The Georgia Tech transfer also added two receptions for 20 yards, bringing his total to 226 yards on 20 touches.

He had individual rushes go for 76 and 72 yards, respectively, and became the offense’s hero after Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young went down with injury. Even more impressively, Alabama’s Director of Sports Performance, David Ballou, revealed that Gibbs reached a total speed of 22.8 MPH on his 72-yard score.

Gibbs was named SEC Player of the Week for his stunning performance, and was the only Crimson Tide star to earn conference honors for Week 5. He’ll look to duplicate this stellar performance this weekend against SEC West foe Texas A&M.