### **It’s Official: Alabama Taps Richard Young and Daniel Hill to Replace Jam Miller as Season Approaches**

### **It’s Official: Alabama Taps Richard Young and Daniel Hill to Replace Jam Miller as Season Approaches**

With the 2025 college football season fast approaching, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has made it official: sophomore backs **Richard Young** and **Daniel Hill** will take the lead in the backfield following the injury to starting running back **Jam Miller**.

Miller, who was expected to be a central figure in Alabama’s offense this season, suffered an upper-body injury during fall camp and underwent a procedure that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. As the Crimson Tide prepare for their high-stakes opener against Florida State on August 30, the coaching staff has turned to a promising duo to carry the load.

### A Two-Headed Backfield Attack

**Daniel Hill**, wearing jersey No. 8, has earned praise throughout the offseason for his physicality, vision, and maturity. A powerful 6-foot-1 sophomore with soft hands and excellent football instincts, Hill has drawn comparisons to former Tide greats like Brian Robinson Jr. His performance during spring practice and early fall scrimmages gave the staff confidence that he could be a lead back, and now that opportunity has arrived.

“Daniel brings a lot of toughness and balance,” said head coach Kalen DeBoer. “He’s physical, but he’s also smart with the ball and understands what we’re trying to do on every down.”

While Hill will likely start, **Richard Young** is expected to see significant touches as well. A former five-star recruit, Young has quietly developed into a dangerous runner. After limited playing time last season, he’s bulked up, improved his pass protection, and shown off his explosive speed in practice. Coaches see him as a perfect complement to Hill’s bruising style.

“Richard’s taken huge strides,” said offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. “He’s always had the raw athleticism, but now he’s showing patience, discipline, and the kind of second-effort runs that can break a game open.”

### Next-Man-Up Mentality

The loss of Miller is undeniably a setback. He led the team in rushing yards and was a consistent red-zone threat. But Alabama’s “next man up” philosophy is nothing new. The Tide’s running back depth has often been one of its greatest strengths, and with Young and Hill leading the charge, the standard remains high.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe expressed confidence in the duo, saying, “Both those guys are hungry. They’ve earned our trust. Whether it’s running, catching, or blocking, they’re stepping up and taking responsibility.”

### Rotation Depth Remains Strong

Behind Hill and Young, Alabama still has plenty of depth. Freshman **AK Dear**, redshirt sophomore **Kevin Riley**, and **transfer Dre Washington** are all available to rotate in, providing flexibility and fresh legs throughout games.

With the season opener just weeks away, Alabama fans can expect a committee approach to start, but with Hill and Young clearly in the spotlight. Whether one of them emerges as a true feature back remains to be seen, but both are expected to play pivotal roles from day one.

If there’s a silver lining to Jam Miller’s absence, it’s that the Tide will get an early look at the future of their backfield—a future that looks fast, physical, and ready to roll.

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