Ryan Grubb Speaks on Running Backs Ahead of Second Scrimmage

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Outside of the ongoing quarterback competition between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, arguably the biggest position group battle on the Crimson Tide roster is between the running backs.

With injuries to standout underclassmen EJ Crowell and AK Dear, Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb turn to three other backs: Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, and Trae'Shawn Brown to hold down the run game, at least for the start of the season.

Hill returns to the Capstone for his third season as the leading returning rusher, picking up 284 yards and six scores on 75 carries behind Jam Miller on the depth chart a year ago.

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Now, at least according to Grubb, Hill is set to be a workhorse back for the Crimson Tide in 2026 after an off-season of growth and improvement.

“Daniel Hill is, you know, if I was picking guys that have had a lot of growth on this football team, Daniel would be one of the biggest ones," Grubb told the media Monday morning, "Just not only physically how he's transformed his body, but just also his maturity, understanding, preparation, you know, schematically, his knowledge. I mean, you just hear him lining guys up and intelligent football players. So I just, you know, I think the world of him. He's put a lot of work into being, you know, one of our workhorses.

Another returning back, Kevin Riley, is also making strides in his game.

"And then Kev, same thing, maturity, you know, knowledge of the offense. He's a bright kid, you know, consistently trying to work on keeping his weight up," noted Grubb. "He's got good twitch, you know, just trying to be a little more heavy-handed in the run game, which I know he's working on.

Potentially the surprise of fall camp has been freshman Trae'shawn Brown. A late add out of Texas to the 2026 recruiting class, Brown has turned heads around Tuscaloosa this fall, much to the credit of the coaching capabilities of running backs coach Robert Gillespie.

You know, Coach G's the best, man. He's a stud," said Grubb on Gillespie. "His vision and his coaching style are very consistent. You know, and so that I think you know just breeds consistency in the room where you know nothing changes. You know, the standard's the standard. He keeps guys moving forward. The expectation is next man up. So it just doesn't turn into this, you know, you don't give life to the problem. You know the guys just keep preparing and getting ready. So a lot of credit to Coach G on that one.”

Alabama kicks off its season September 5 against East Carolina at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.