Even though they compete for the starting running back position and playing time, Alabama football running backs Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have maintained their friendship.
The two were 1A and 1B running backs during the first week of fall camp. They combined for just over 350 yards last year, making them the fourth and fifth best runners on the team. But with Jase McClellan heading to the NFL and Roydell Williams transferring to Florida State, an opportunity presents itself. The duo seem to be working together to capitalize on that opportunity.
“We help each other on and off the field. If he sees something I didn’t see, we talk about it and help each other improve our game,” Miller said.
What has helped the running backs in the battle for playing time and touches is their shared end goal. It doesn’t matter who is first, second, or even third as long as they all do their jobs and help achieve the goal they all came to Alabama for.
“We’re just here to win and win a national championship,” Miller said. “… That’s what we came here to do, to compete. In Alabama, you have great players, from offense to defense. That’s the main reason we’re here, to compete.”
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If the Crimson Tide’s football history is any indicator, both Haynes and Miller must be ready to get playing time in the 2024 season. Even when Alabama had a standout running back, the team usually had a complementary running back to take some of the load off. New offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan knows this.
“Supportive, I would probably say that. … History here shows that you need a room full of runners to get through the season and the championship,” Sheridan said.
