The Position Group Nick Saban Feels Confident In at Beginning of Fall Camp
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nick Saban made it quite clear after Alabama's first practice of fall camp Thursday afternoon that he still isn't ready to name a starting quarterback, going back to cake-baking analogy he used at SEC Media Days.
"We will tell you when it's time, but until then, there's really nothing to talk about," Saban said Thursday. "There's really nothing to say, so there's not a lot of sense in asking about it. We want all the guys when they're in there, you play the position that is yours like it belongs to you."
However, there is another position on offense that the Alabama head coach is already showering with praise: the running backs.
"I like all those guys," Saban said of the running backs. "I think they all have a great attitude. I think that's one of the strongest positions from a depth standpoint on our team."
With just one fall practice under their belts and kickoff still a month away, Saban has displayed a lot of confidence in the running backs since the spring.
He was specifically asked about the leadership of seniors Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams and immediately responded with approval for the four guys (McLellan, Williams, Jam Miller and Justice Haynes) who have been with the team since the spring. Alabama has also added freshman Richard Young over the summer.
"Jase has been a really good leader," Saban said. "Roydell has always been a good example. He’s a good special teams player as well as a good runner. Loves to play [special] teams, loves to do whatever he can to help the team. Jase has really stepped up and set a good example."
McClellan and Williams bring in a lot of experience and a combined 1700 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Both have also been pass-catching threats out of the backfield.
Miller and Haynes both had strong springs, and Haynes especially stood out as a true freshman.
"The two young players— Justice [Haynes] and Jam [Miller]— have done really, really well too. Of course we have the new addition in the new freshman, but he’s probably a little behind the other guys just from a learning curve standpoint."
On the injury front, Miller was the one player Saban said did not participate fully with the team on the opening day of practice. A strained quad will keep Miller out for a couple of days.
