Ryan Grubb says recent Alabama star recruit will be playing more as Crimson Tide need boost in key area
As well as this season is going for the Alabama Crimson Tide, including four-straight top-25 matchup wins and netting two high-end future quarterback prospects, the on-field results over the next few weeks are what matter right now. Alabama can win the SEC and compete for a national championship only months after head coach Kalen DeBoer […]
As well as this season is going for the Alabama Crimson Tide, including four-straight top-25 matchup wins and netting two high-end future quarterback prospects, the on-field results over the next few weeks are what matter right now. Alabama can win the SEC and compete for a national championship only months after head coach Kalen DeBoer faced a lot of questions about his fit. Now, Tuscaloosa looks perfect for DeBoer.
One of the tricks up DeBoer’s sleeve is relying on offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. He brought in the playcaller this offseason and reunited after one year apart when Grubb spent the season with the Seattle Seahawks. Grubb has done an amazing job with quarterback Ty Simpson, but the team needs to improve its running game.
One way they plan on doing that is by unleashing 2024 four-star running back Daniel Hill.
Daniel Hill to play more as Alabama seeks out run game boost
The Crimson Tide’s run game has been searching for more consistency all season long. While Jam Miller has done his best to overcome an offensive line lacking the punch and power to pulverize opponents, the Tide undoubtedly could use more efficiency. Even backup Kevin Riley has largely been a receiving threat and little more.
That’s where Grubb thinks Hill will come in. Hill was ranked slightly higher than Riley in the 2024 recruiting class, but has a vastly different profile. Hill stands almost 6-feet tall and 244 pounds, while Riley is 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds. With so much contact happening earlier, it’s possible Hill can power through it.
Hill has only 40 carries in his career, but is coming off a career-high with seven carries and 34 yards. He was relegated to a short-yardage backup previously, and he averaged 4.9 yards per touch against Tennessee when he was given touches outside of obvious situations.
Grubb admitted this about Hill’s participation:
“We’re a production-based business. Daniel is a talented kid. We’ve been waiting for him to get healthy and show off some of the things he did this spring for us.”
This is a golden opportunity for the redshirt freshman. If he can parlay the touches into big games, he could enter 2026 as the starting back and raise the ceiling of the 2025 roster.
