In the last four Alabama football seasons, the Crimson Tide has rushed for more than 1,819 yards in a season just once. In the 2021 season, the Tide’s rushing attack produced 2,132 yards. In the six seasons preceding 2021, Alabama rushed for 2,399 yards (2020), 1,919 yards (2019), 2,571 yards (2018), 1,850 yards (2017), 2,169 yards (2016), and 2,844 yards (2015).

National Championships were won in 2015, 2017, and 2020. Derrick Henry was the bell cow in 2015. Henry sped and bulldozed his way to 2,219 yards and a Heisman Trophy.

Since Derrick Henry, Alabama football fans have yearned for another running back to dominate a Crimson Tide season. Najee Harris came closest in 2020, rushing for 1,466 yards.

Going back to the 2019 season, Alabama fans have wanted the Crimson Tide to have an explosive passing attack and a punishing running game. As Offensive Coordinator, Steve Sarkisian provided that in 2020. He did it without a running threat at quarterback.

When the literal magic of Bryce Young was not enough to win championships in 2021 and 2022, many Crimson Tide fans blamed it on an insufficient use of Alabama running backs. The often-heard demand was ‘Run the damn ball’. A series of Alabama Offensive Coordinators; Bill O’Brien, Tommy Rees, and Nick Sheridan drew the ire of Alabama fans for ineffective use of Alabama’s running backs. The culmination of fan displeasure came when Alabama lost four games, with its leading rusher in carries and yards being quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Alabama Crimson Tide fans may have a different take in the 2025 season. There is a wellspring of enthusiasm for Ryan Grubb calling plays and running Kalen DeBoer’s complete offense. That is an offensive system that produced 6,931 yards at Washington in 2023. Only 1,776 yards of those yards came on the ground. Only one running back was featured in Washington’s offense; Dillon Johnson rushed for 1.195 yards.

Washington’s 2023 production came from 15 games. In 14 games last season, Alabama produced far fewer passing yards than the difference of a single game. In the 2024 season, Alabama passed for 3,086 yards, only 10th-best in the SEC. Last season Alabama needed a better passing offense or a more productive rushing attack (or both).

2025 Alabama Football ‘Aggressive’ Offense

The 2025 Alabama Football offense will not mirror the 2023 Washington offense. Good coaches adjust to the strengths of their players. Still, Ryan Grubb can be expected to rely more on passing than running. It could work wonderfully. If so Alabama fans will not worry about not running the damn ball enough. Even better, DeBoer and Grubb could deliver a balanced Alabama offense that succeeds at passing and running. Recently Grubb said, ” We want to be physical and technical… We know that to win the late games and the playoffs and things like that, there has to be a mindset and demeanor that you gotta be able to run the football”

With a new QB starter, Alabama may not sizzle offensively in Game 1 at FSU. But in late September, in Athens, GA, the Bulldogs may not be able to key on personnel weaknesses in the Crimson Tide offense or a play-caller that is not aggressive.

Note: Stats provided by cfbstats.com