What may Ryan Grubb’s Alabama football run game look like? What to anticipate

The Alabama Crimson Tide football program, led by head coach Nick Saban, has long been known for its powerful, smash-mouth, downhill running game. However, with the hire of new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, there is a fresh sense of anticipation surrounding how Alabama’s run game might evolve. Grubb, who rose to prominence as the offensive coordinator at Washington, is recognized for his balanced offensive philosophies and a deep understanding of the nuances of both the run and pass games. So, what might Alabama’s run game look like under Grubb’s leadership, and what can fans expect as the 2025 season unfolds?

The Evolution of Alabama’s Run Game Under Nick Saban

Before diving into the specifics of Ryan Grubb’s potential impact, it’s important to understand the context of Alabama’s run game under Saban’s tenure. Over the years, Saban’s offensive philosophy has evolved, but at its core, Alabama has always emphasized a physical, between-the-tackles running attack. The Crimson Tide’s ground game has been powered by elite running backs like Derrick Henry, Najee Harris, and most recently, Jahmyr Gibbs. However, the offense has also had to adapt to changing football trends, particularly the rise of spread offenses, dual-threat quarterbacks, and the increased importance of the passing game.

For much of the last decade, Alabama’s offense has been built on a dominant offensive line, a power running game, and a quarterback who could manage the game efficiently—whether it was Jalen Hurts’ rushing ability or Tua Tagovailoa’s passing prowess. With Grubb’s arrival, the next phase of Alabama’s offensive identity is likely to be a blend of the traditional power run game and some elements of modernized, space-creating schemes.

Grubb’s Philosophical Approach

Ryan Grubb’s offensive philosophy is shaped by a blend of West Coast principles and modern spread concepts. At Washington, Grubb was instrumental in helping to develop a balanced offense that was highly efficient both in the air and on the ground. The hallmark of his play calling was versatility—being able to keep opposing defenses on their heels by mixing tempo, formations, and personnel groupings. While Grubb is known for his creativity and innovative passing schemes, his success in the run game has been just as notable.

A key feature of Grubb’s running game is his ability to adapt to the strengths of his personnel. Whether it’s utilizing power backs between the tackles or stretch runs for speedier ball carriers, Grubb is flexible in his approach. His philosophy revolves around two key elements:

1. Balance and Efficiency: Grubb believes in using the run game to control the clock, set up play-action, and wear down opposing defenses. He doesn’t rely solely on the run to dictate the pace of the game, but he ensures it remains a potent threat that sets up the passing game.
2. Wide Variety of Run Concepts: Grubb utilizes multiple running concepts, ranging from inside zone, outside zone, power, counter, and even some option elements, depending on the skill set of the offensive line and running backs.

Given that Alabama traditionally recruits elite talent at running back and offensive line, Grubb will have the tools necessary to execute his vision for the run game. However, how he integrates these concepts into his game plans will be key to whether Alabama can maintain its ground-game dominance.

Personnel Matters: The Running Backs

Grubb’s run game will heavily depend on the talent in the backfield. Alabama has consistently produced high-caliber running backs, and as of 2025, this tradition looks set to continue. Depending on who emerges as the primary ball carrier, Grubb’s offense could take on different looks.

Elite Talent: Running Back by Committee

Alabama is fortunate to have a depth of talent at the running back position, including players with different skill sets. While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly who will be the lead back, there are a few players worth noting as key contributors:

• Jase McClellan: McClellan has proven to be a versatile back who can handle a variety of roles. His ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact makes him an ideal candidate for between-the-tackles runs, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. McClellan’s speed and vision also give him an advantage on outside zone runs, which could be a staple of Grubb’s offense.
• Jahmyr Gibbs (if still on the roster in 2025): A dynamic, explosive player who can catch passes out of the backfield as well as run between the tackles, Gibbs would give Grubb a perfect weapon for his zone and stretch running concepts. His ability to get to the edge quickly and turn the corner would fit well with Grubb’s affinity for speed and stretch plays.
• Freshman Talent: Alabama always seems to have a loaded backfield with highly-touted recruits. Players like Justice Haynes, if available, could provide a dual threat as a hard-nosed runner who can grind out yards and also contribute in the passing game, adding an additional dimension to Grubb’s offense.

With such depth at running back, Grubb will likely rotate backs to keep them fresh throughout the game. Expect a “running back by committee” approach, where each back’s unique skills are maximized. For example, McClellan may get the bulk of the carries in short-yardage situations, while Gibbs or Haynes could be used in space with outside zone runs and swing passes.

Offensive Line: The Engine Behind the Run Game

One of the most critical factors in Grubb’s success will be the performance of Alabama’s offensive line. Under Saban, Alabama has consistently recruited elite offensive linemen who can dominate at the line of scrimmage. However, Grubb’s system will require an even higher level of versatility, given his tendency to implement a wider array of blocking schemes.

Power and Zone Blocking Schemes

Grubb’s offense at Washington featured a mix of power blocking and zone blocking schemes, with occasional counter runs and traps to keep defenses off balance. In a power scheme, the offensive line works to create vertical push, while in zone runs, they are tasked with creating horizontal lanes for the ball carrier to choose from.

• Power Runs: This is a staple of Alabama’s offense under Saban, and Grubb will likely continue to use it, especially in short-yardage situations. Expect a heavy dose of lead blockers, fullbacks, or H-backs (a versatile tight end) to open holes in the middle of the field. With big, physical linemen up front, Grubb will look to use these plays to dictate the tempo of the game and set up play-action passes.
• Zone Runs: Zone blocking is a scheme where the offensive line moves in unison, creating lanes for the running back to choose from. This is where Grubb’s offensive creativity can shine. With fast, explosive backs like Gibbs and Haynes, zone runs could be a major feature of Alabama’s offense, especially on stretch plays designed to get to the edge quickly. Additionally, zone runs provide a higher level of misdirection, which could play well with Grubb’s tendency to keep defenses guessing.
• Counter and Pulling Plays: Grubb’s use of counter plays, where the offensive line pulls one or more linemen across the formation to create a new running lane, could be used to exploit defensive overcommits and weaknesses on the edge.

The offensive line will need to maintain the physicality and execution required for these schemes to be successful. With Alabama’s track record of elite recruits on the offensive line, Grubb will likely have the talent to execute his preferred blocking schemes, but the ability to adapt these schemes to the talent on the roster will be crucial.

Anticipating Grubb’s Offensive Tendencies

Given Ryan Grubb’s offensive background, there are several key elements to watch for in Alabama’s run game moving forward:

• Increased Use of Outside Runs: Grubb has utilized a lot of outside-zone runs, where the running back aims to stretch the defense horizontally before cutting upfield. With fast and versatile running backs, Alabama may look to exploit the perimeter, especially against defenses that are less adept at defending wide-zone plays.
• More Pre-Snap Motion: Grubb loves to move players around pre-snap to create mismatches. Expect to see more jet sweeps, misdirections, and quick hitters as Alabama looks to use motion to create confusion among defensive fronts.
• Creativity in the Red Zone: Given Grubb’s background in high-leverage situations, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more creative red-zone run schemes, including inside-zone runs with quick play-action passes, or power runs with a lead blocker to help open up the inside.