In his 2025 roster breakdown, Kalen DeBoer identifies Alabama’s shiftiest running back.

As the college football world looks forward to the 2025 season, many eyes are focused on the Alabama Crimson Tide and their stacked roster, particularly the running back group. Nick Saban’s team has long been known for its dominant, pro-style running backs, churning out elite players who have gone on to succeed at the next level. However, in 2025, a new dynamic has entered the picture: a shift in Alabama’s running back approach that is designed to keep defenses off balance. As a result, running backs in the Crimson Tide’s backfield will be given an even greater role to showcase their skills, and one player who is expected to rise to prominence is identified by none other than Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer, who recently weighed in on Alabama’s depth chart. In his analysis of Alabama’s 2025 roster, DeBoer highlighted the shiftiest running back in the group—a player who could be the key to unlocking Alabama’s offense this coming season.

DeBoer’s breakdown of Alabama’s roster comes at a pivotal moment in both his career and the landscape of college football. As a head coach known for his offensive expertise, especially with quarterbacks and skilled playmakers, DeBoer’s comments have been highly anticipated. His insight into Alabama’s running back position provides a unique perspective on how the Crimson Tide’s offense is evolving and which players could potentially define the season.

Alabama’s Running Back Tradition

Alabama has long been a powerhouse in college football, with an offense that has consistently relied on a strong running game. Dating back to the days of legendary players like Derrick Henry, Mark Ingram, and Trent Richardson, Alabama has churned out Heisman-caliber running backs who have dominated the college football landscape. However, in 2025, Alabama’s offense is undergoing a transformation, with the running back group playing a crucial role in this evolution.

The primary reason for this shift is the changing nature of college football, with more emphasis being placed on speed, versatility, and the ability to spread the field. As the game moves away from the traditional ground-and-pound style that once defined the Tide’s offense, the running back position is evolving to become more dynamic. The focus is now on backs who can not only run between the tackles but also thrive in open space, making defenders miss with agility and quickness.

Kalen DeBoer’s Perspective on Alabama’s Running Backs

Kalen DeBoer’s insight into Alabama’s running back group comes as part of his ongoing evaluation of top teams in the college football world. DeBoer is no stranger to evaluating talent; his ability to develop offensive systems that maximize the strengths of his players is one of the reasons he has become one of the most respected coaches in the nation. He has had success at various stops throughout his career, particularly at the University of Washington, where his innovative offensive approach has turned the Huskies into a consistent contender in the Pac-12.

In his 2025 roster breakdown, DeBoer focused on Alabama’s running back room and, specifically, singled out a player who he believes could be the shiftiest in the group. DeBoer’s comments were precise, highlighting a particular player’s ability to make defenders miss and create explosive plays in space—key traits for any running back looking to thrive in today’s fast-paced college football environment.

“Alabama’s running back group is as deep and talented as ever, but the one that stands out to me is Jase McClellan,” DeBoer said in his breakdown. “McClellan has that natural ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces. He’s quick, shifty, and has the kind of lateral movement that can completely throw off a defense. In today’s game, a running back like McClellan can be a real game-changer for Alabama.”

Jase McClellan: The Shiftiest Running Back

Jase McClellan, a senior running back from Alabama, is the player Kalen DeBoer identified as the shiftiest back in the Tide’s deep running back rotation for 2025. McClellan has been a key contributor for Alabama over the past few seasons, but 2025 is expected to be his breakout year. The reason for this expectation is his ability to change direction with ease, create yards after contact, and excel in the open field.

McClellan, who stands at 5’11” and weighs around 215 pounds, is a powerful back with the agility of someone much smaller. He is known for his quick feet, ability to navigate through tight spaces, and change of direction that leaves defenders grasping at air. In a backfield full of talent, McClellan’s ability to make defenders miss with a combination of lateral quickness and speed makes him a prime candidate for a significant role in 2025.

One of the key reasons McClellan stands out is his vision on the field. He has an innate ability to read defenses and make cuts that open up running lanes, even when they seem to be nonexistent. Whether it’s in a gap running play or on outside zone runs, McClellan is capable of putting defenders in difficult situations with his precise cuts and elusiveness.

Additionally, McClellan is a solid pass-catcher out of the backfield. His ability to get open in space, combined with his shiftiness, makes him a dual-threat weapon for Alabama’s offense. He has the agility to break tackles in open space and accelerate quickly after the catch, giving Alabama another option to attack defenses. This combination of skills makes him not only a dangerous rusher but also a versatile weapon in the passing game.

How McClellan Fits into Alabama’s Evolving Offense

Under head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, Alabama’s offense has shifted in recent years to incorporate more variety in the running game. This means less focus on traditional power running and more emphasis on space and versatility. The incorporation of outside zone runs, read-option plays, and screens to running backs has allowed Alabama to take advantage of players with quickness and lateral agility, which makes McClellan the perfect fit for this style of offense.

McClellan’s shifty running style, combined with his ability to read defenses and adapt to different blocking schemes, makes him a perfect fit for the up-tempo and dynamic offense that Rees has been working to implement. With the potential loss of quarterback Jalen Milroe to the NFL Draft after the 2025 season, McClellan’s versatility as both a runner and a pass-catcher will be crucial in taking pressure off the new quarterback who will be stepping in for Alabama.

In addition to his role in the running game, McClellan will likely be asked to play a significant role in Alabama’s passing attack. With Rees focusing on spreading the field and incorporating short-to-intermediate passing plays, McClellan’s skill set as a pass-catcher out of the backfield will be invaluable. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field after a reception could lead to numerous explosive plays for Alabama.

The Competition: Alabama’s Other Talented Running Backs

While McClellan is DeBoer’s choice for the shiftiest running back, Alabama’s running back room is stacked with talent in 2025. In addition to McClellan, the Crimson Tide also boasts several other capable backs who could play significant roles in the offense.

Roydell Williams, for example, is another player who will likely see significant touches in 2025. Williams is a powerful and patient back with excellent vision, and he excels in between-the-tackles running. Although he may not be as quick as McClellan, Williams is a tough and physical runner who can wear down opposing defenses over time.

Additionally, Alabama’s highly touted freshman, Richard Young, could provide a spark in the backfield as well. Known for his explosive speed and quickness, Young is a versatile player who could see significant playing time in 2025. While it remains to be seen how he will adapt to the college game, his potential to contribute as a change-of-pace back is considerable.

Despite the competition, McClellan’s ability to make defenders miss in open space and his versatility as a pass-catcher give him a slight edge in terms of being the shiftiest running back on the roster. His unique combination of skills is one that fits perfectly into Alabama’s evolving offensive scheme, and he will likely be a central figure in the offense for 2025.

DeBoer’s Impact and the Future of Alabama Football

Kalen DeBoer’s evaluation of Alabama’s running back group highlights the growing importance of agility and versatility in modern football. In an era where running backs must be able to do more than just run between the tackles, players like McClellan represent the future of the position. Their ability to create explosive plays in the open field and contribute to both the running and passing games makes them invaluable assets to their teams.

As Alabama looks to build upon its dominance in the SEC and college football, McClellan and the rest of the running back room will be key to the team’s success in 2025. With a versatile and dynamic backfield, the Crimson Tide’s offense will be difficult to defend, and McClellan’s unique skill set will be one of the driving forces behind that success.