Justice Haynes, the talented former five-star running back from Buford, Georgia, has become the latest Alabama player to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Haynes had a promising start with Alabama, contributing 168 rushing yards and two touchdowns as a freshman during the team’s 2023 Southeastern Conference Championship run. His 2024 season, however, saw him total 448 yards and seven touchdowns, but he averaged just six carries per game, leaving some to question whether he had enough opportunities to showcase his abilities.
With Haynes’ departure, Alabama’s running back room remains in strong hands but with some changes. Jam Miller has been the feature back this season, finishing with 641 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged nearly 12 carries per game and was also reliable in pass-blocking. If Miller decides to return for his senior season, he would likely remain the lead back. Richard Young, another five-star recruit from the 2023 class, is set to be fully healthy next season and could play a bigger role, although he still needs to develop his breakaway speed.
Additionally, freshmen Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley, along with incoming recruit Akylin Dear, will be called upon more in the future. While the loss of Haynes is disappointing, Alabama may look to the transfer portal for another running back, especially if they want to add more explosiveness to their offense. The Crimson Tide’s coaches will likely assess the situation before making any moves.