TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football is going to look different in a lot of ways in 2024. With Kalen DeBoer now patrolling the sideline instead of Nick Saban, that alone would be enough difference for some, but the actual on-field product will look vastly different as well.

DeBoer is bringing with him a high-powered offensive system that helped him propel Washington to the national championship game last season, as well as send quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

The Huskies ranked in the top-15 in all of college football in yards per game and points per game, and ranked first in the sport in pass yards per game. The quarterback is the center of DeBoer’s system, and when you add dynamic receivers on the outside, like Washington’s Rome Odunze last season, you get a passing offense that totaled over 5,000 yards for the season.

Obviously, returning Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and Alabama’s weapons on the outside will be huge beneficiaries from this new system, but where does that leave the Crimson Tide running backs?

After spring practice on Friday of last week, select players and coaches from the offensive side of the ball were made available to the media, and they discussed the role running backs will play in this new offense.

“We’re going to ask them to do different things, trying to find out what they do best,” Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said. “But certainly protecting the football, running the ball, pass protection, catching out of the backfield. It’s a group that can do all those things.”