Even while they have been battling for the starting running back job and playing time, Alabama football running backs Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have kept their friendship ahead of the battle.
The two have been running backs 1A and 1B through the first week of fall camp. The two combined for just over 350 yards last year, the fourth- and fifth-leading rushers on the team, but will Jase McClellan off to the NFL and Roydell Williams transferring to Florida State , an opportunity has emerged. The duo seems to be working together to take advantage.
"We help each other on and off the field. If he sees something that I didn't see, we go to each other and talk it out, help each other improve on our game," Miller said.
One thing that has helped the running backs room while in competition for playing time and touches is that they share a common end goal. It won't matter who is first, second or even third if they can all do their jobs and help achieve the goal they all came to Alabama to achieve.
"We just here to win and win a national championship," Miller said. "... That's what we came here for, to compete. At Alabama, you got great players all over from the offensive to the defensive side. That's the main reason, we're here to compete.
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If Crimson Tide football history is an indicator, both Haynes and Miller will need to be ready to see playing time for the 2024 season. Even when it has had a featured back, Alabama has usually had a complimentary back to take some of the load off. New offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan knows that.
"Supportive, I think that's probably the thing I would say. ... The history here will show you that you need a room full of runners to get through the season and the championship," Sheridan said.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: How Alabama football RBs are staying friends while fighting for playing time
