The Alabama Crimson Tide football team enters the 2026 season with a clear priority: fix the running game.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign on the ground, Alabama is using spring practice to reset expectations and rebuild its identity in the backfield. Junior running back Daniel Hill made it clear that the emphasis this offseason is simple for Crimson Tide backs: become more explosive.
Following Alabama’s spring practice on Monday morning, Hill had the following to say:
“Being more explosive and just seeing the field better. Just running behind our pads. Just doing all the little things right that can not only help us, but help the O-line, help the offense as a whole.”
Alabama’s Running Game Struggles in 2025
To say running the football was a struggle for Alabama in 2025 is the understatement of the year. Alabama finished near the bottom in the country in rushing yards per game, which became a bottleneck for the Alabama offense down the stretch.
It was a far cry from the physical, dominant rushing identity that has long defined Alabama football.
Running backs Flashed During Spring Scrimmage
There have already been flashes of improvement during spring practice.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer noted that redshirt freshman AK Dear had “a couple of nice runs” during Alabama’s first spring scrimmage. Hill also pointed out that freshman Trae’shawn Brown broke off a long run during the 100-play session this past Friday.
While it’s still early, those explosive plays are exactly what the coaching staff is looking to see more consistently.
Daniel Hill’s Body Transformation is Noticable
Hill played at well over 240 pounds during the 2025 season, and he made it a point of emphasis to be a little lighter on his feet in 2026. Hill is now down in the 230s and also noted that he can squat an impressive 805 pounds.
With the noticeable weight loss and elite lower-body strength, Hill could be in for a big season in 2026.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Alabama Football Looking For More Explosiveness From RBs in 2026 appeared first on Heavy Sports.