Kalen DeBoer puts Alabama's biggest offensive weakness front and center

If there were any doubts about what Alabama wants to become in 2026, Kalen DeBoer erased them within minutes of taking the stage at SEC Media Days. 

Standing at the podium Wednesday morning, the Crimson Tide head coach didn't start with the quarterback competition, playoff expectations, or the roster's young talent. Instead, he pointed to the foundation of Alabama's next step: becoming a team that can run the football with consistency and authority.

Kalen DeBoer puts emphasis on Alabama becoming an improved running team in 2026 at SEC Media Days

"We want to be able to run the football better," DeBoer told reporters. "I think that will help our overall team. "That's something that we've addressed and stressed within our team."

It was a simple statement, but one that carried significant weight after Alabama's offensive struggles a season ago. 

The Crimson Tide never established the consistent rushing attack that has long served as the foundation of championship teams in Tuscaloosa. Alabama averaged just 104.1 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry in 2025, often struggling to create movement at the line of scrimmage or generate explosive plays on the ground.

Those struggles affected more than just the scoreboard. Without a reliable rushing threat, Alabama's offense became increasingly one-dimensional, ultimately becoming arguably the biggest obstacle standing between the Tide and a deeper postseason run.

Now entering 2026, fixing that issue is more than improving a statistic—it's about restoring an identity. Fortunately for DeBoer and staff, the pieces are in place for significant improvement.

Alabama returns a talented and versatile running back room featuring an array of different skill sets. Daniel Hill brings size, physicality, and the ability to contribute in multiple phases; Kevin Riley and AK Dear both provide explosiveness and playmaking ability. True freshman duo EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown both add potential, each having the ability to run between the tackles while possessing the speed to turn any carry into a home-run opportunity.

However, as fall camp approaches, unlocking that talent will be the next challenge for Ryan Grubb and Alabama's offense. Turning potential into consistent production will determine whether the Tide can establish the physical identity DeBoer is demanding. 

But his first message from the SEC Media Days podium made one thing clear: if Alabama is going to compete for championships in 2026, the road back starts with rediscovering the run game.

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This article was originally published on bamahammer.com as Kalen DeBoer puts Alabama's biggest offensive weakness front and center.