TAMPA, Fla. — From his opening salvo at SEC Media Days, Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer made one intention clear heading into the 2026 season.
“We want to be able to run the football better,” DeBoer said.
In 2025, running the ball could not have been much worse for the Crimson Tide. Alabama had the second worst run game in the SEC, averaging 104.13 rushing yards per game, and a league-low 3.35 yards per carry. Alabama was inconsistent in the running back room, with no back averaging more than 46 rushing yards per game and only one back averaging more than 4 yards per carry.
In 2026, DeBoer needs a successful run game. It makes offensive play calling easier. It keeps his inexperienced quarterback, whoever it may be, protected.
The Alabama run game has been “addressed and stressed” this offseason, DeBoer said. And he has seen growth, from the emphasis placed on run blocking in both the tight end and offensive line rooms, to the physical transformation of players like Kevin Riley and Daniel Hill, overshadowed by the five-star hype of freshman EJ Crowell, who is recovering from a lower leg injury.
“You still have to find ways to get the job done, and we understand where that bar is at and what it’s going to take to get the job done in being effective, running the ball at a high level,” DeBoer said. “We have to work to accomplish that.”
Alabama opens the 2026 season against East Carolina Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on ABC.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter or Instagram @colingaytnews.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football needs a successful run game in 2026. Here’s why
