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The first step in fixing a problem is acknowledging there’s a problem.
By that measure, Alabama is making progress toward fixing its running game.
On Wednesday at SEC media days in Tampa, Crimson Tide football coach Kalen DeBoer during his opening statement, unprompted brought up areas where he wanted to see improvement in 2026.
The first he mentioned? The ground game.
“I think we really look at it, we want to be able to run the football better,” DeBoer said. “I think that will help the overall team, overall when it comes to protecting your quarterback. Makes play calling easier. So that’s something we’ve addressed and stressed within our team.”
It’s necessary after Alabama put together a ground attack that was nothing short of a disappointment in 2025. The Crimson Tide finished 123rd out of 134 FBS teams in rushing yards per game, averaging about 101.
Alabama doesn’t have to become a run-first attack, but too often it didn’t have the ability to gain yards in got-to-have-it moments. Say, third-and-1 or fourth-and-1. Sometimes it became necessary for offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to call a creative play that involved receiver Germie Bernard in these important moments. Sometimes it worked, but having a trustworthy efficient ground game to which you can turn is a valuable and necessary element to have in the offense.
Alabama will have almost an entirely new offensive line trying to create rush lanes for a running back group that also has some new faces. That includes true freshmen EJ Crowell and Trae’shawn Brown.
Plus, Alabama added Oklahoma State transfer Josh Ford at tight end. He figures to help bring some physicality to the ground game, too as a blocker.
“We understand where that bar is at, what it’s going to take to accomplish the job: Being effective, running the ball at a high level,” DeBoer said. “So we got to work to accomplish that.”
Alabama is about two weeks away from the start of preseason camp. The Crimson Tide is entering the third season under DeBoer’s leadership, kicking off against East Carolina on Sept. 5 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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