In 2024, Alabama football's run game plan looked to be centered around a tandem of touted running backs.
The pair was Jam Miller, a former Texas four-star who served as the No. 3 running back in 2023 behind Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams ; and Justice Haynes , the highly-recruited 2023 five-star out of Buford, Georgia.
But as the season went on, Miller and quarterback Jalen Milroe took the bulk load of the run game responsibilities, accounting for more than 62% of the Crimson Tide 's rushing yards and nearly 64% of Alabama 's total carries.
After a 13-carry Week 2 performance against South Florida , Haynes did not have more than eight carries in a game in 2024, finishing the season with 79 carries for 448 rushing yards and matching Miller's seven rushing touchdowns.
In 2025, that dynamic is set to change.
Haynes has reportedly entered the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons with the Crimson Tide .
With Haynes' transfer comes one answer.
Miller has one season left of collegiate eligibility. Haynes' departure could indicate Miller's return to the Crimson Tide in 2025.
Alabama also had other three scholarship running backs at its disposal in 2024: redshirt freshman and former top-60 Florida four-star Richard Young, who averaged 5.6 yards per touch in limited action, 2024 top-75 Alabama four-star Kevin Riley and 2024 top-150 Mississippi four-star Daniel Hill .
Alabama also is gaining a top-50 Mississippi four-star in Akylin Dear through the 2025 recruiting class, who had 1,081 rushing yards and six touchdowns as a senior in 2024.
Talent remains in Alabama's running back room in 2025 even with Haynes' departure, given the influx of talent the room had in 2024.
That No. 2 spot, as of now next to Miller, remains wide open.
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.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Justice Haynes enters transfer portal. What's next for Alabama football?
