Alabama running back Jam Miller made news in Madison, Wisconsin on September 14, 2024, when he scored a third-quarter touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Despite entering the season having one of the best backfield duos in the country, Alabama’s running backs have been given light workloads in the first three games.
While the stats show outstanding performances, with junior Jam Miller and sophomore Justice Haynes averaging about nine yards per rush, these figures may be a little deceiving. Alabama’s powerful attack has produced big plays, with Miller and Haynes both scoring scores on rushes of 30 yards or more. In fact, Haynes’ 29-yard rush against South Florida in the second game was the shortest touchdown either back ever scored. Miller, on the other hand, has scored a touchdown in every game this season, while Haynes has scored versus Western Kentucky and USF. Both backs scored late in the USF game, after the Tide had already secured a 42-16 victory.
Miller has 265 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries, averaging 9.1 yards per rush, while Haynes has 165 yards and two scores on 19 carries, an average of 8.7 yards per carry. However, if their explosive touchdown runs are removed, the figures change dramatically. Miller’s three touchdowns account for nearly half of his total yards, whereas Haynes’ two huge plays account for 69% of his total. Aside from those, Haynes averages three yards per run. Haynes carried the ball twice for 17 yards against Wisconsin, but he also had three targets for 16 yards, including a 10-yard reception on Alabama’s first play of the game.
Haynes’ low touches, according to head coach Kalen DeBoer, were inadvertent since RPOs and quarterback keeps resulted in fewer carries. DeBoer told Haynes that he would be an important part of the team’s future plans, citing his work ethic and flexibility, particularly in blocking and receiving.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe has also contributed significantly to Alabama’s ground game with the new offensive system, rushing for six touchdowns in three games, more than Miller and Haynes combined. Alabama failed to establish the run early in the season, in part owing to an offensive line that was not fully healthy until the Wisconsin game. The Badgers game marked the first time Alabama’s starting offensive line had played together, resulting in improved run game consistency.
Reserve running back Richard Young’s status is questionable after suffering a lower leg injury versus Wisconsin, thus Miller and Haynes will most likely bear the majority of the weight moving forward. With an early bye week, the whole backfield will have more time to recover before the SEC season begins against No. 2 Georgia on September 28, allowing them more time to gel with the offensive line.
According to defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, Alabama has only released a “small volume” of their playbook thus far, implying that Milroe, Miller, and Haynes may face more wrinkles. Despite their few carries, Alabama is third in the country with 13 running touchdowns, trailing just Tennessee and Arkansas. Their next opponent, Georgia, has yet to allow a running touchdown all year. “We’ve got to flush this game and prepare for Georgia,” Miller remarked following the Wisconsin win. “I’m focused on watching film and improving.”
