Alabama Crimson Tide running back just told you why he’s going to have a breakout season in 2026
The Alabama Crimson Tide has its fair share of position battles that will be decided sometime between now and the end of fall camp in August. We know the offensive line has been overhauled, and the quarterback battle dominates not only local coverage but national headlines. But the running back position is a battle that […]
The Alabama Crimson Tide has its fair share of position battles that will be decided sometime between now and the end of fall camp in August. We know the offensive line has been overhauled, and the quarterback battle dominates not only local coverage but national headlines.
But the running back position is a battle that hasn’t received much attention. The return of players like AK Dear, Kevin Riley, and Daniel Hill wasn’t met with the same enthusiasm as incoming freshman EJ Crowell, who has been unable to make an impact due to injury. So it’s been Hill’s time to shine thus far in Tuscaloosa, and he’s making the most of it.
Daniel Hill has rebuilt his body this offseason
“I had to just go back and see what I was doing wrong,” Hill told the media after practice on Monday. “I had to change the way I was eating, cardio more, and that’s really it, and just keep working at that. That’s something that I felt like I needed to change, the coaches felt like I needed to change.”
“I made a commitment to myself to get my weight down, [so] I feel good. I feel way faster, my body feels better. Like all the little knack injuries, I’m not having those anymore. I just feel better as a whole.”
Why Daniel Hill could be in store for a breakout season
Hill was listed at 6-1, 244 pounds for most of his tenure at Alabama, but his profile on Alabama’s website now lists him at 236 pounds. I would venture to say that Hill was probably north of 250 pounds for much of the 2025 season, and you could see it in his play.
When starting RB Jam Miller went down at different times in the year, what little chunk plays the Alabama offense generated for much of the season went out the window. Now, a svelt Hill (who mentioned that yes, he can still squat 805 pounds) behind a reworked offensive line could be in for a breakout year at Alabama.
It will be year two of Ryan Grubb’s under Kalen DeBoer and let’s be honest, it can’t be much worse than the second-fewest rushing yards per game in the SEC that Alabama had in 2025. Hill figures to be a big factor in 2026.
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