Former Alabama Crimson Tide starter suddenly has the chance to do the unthinkable following roster decision from his NFL team
The NFL’s roster deadline day has come and gone, and while the dust is still settling for many players, the ability to return to college football following recent eligibility court orders could lead to a comeback for one former Alabama player.
The NFL’s roster deadline has come and gone, and now things are about to get really compelling in college football. Former Alabama Crimson Tide starting running back Jam Miller has been waived by the New England Patriots, and that opens the door to a scenario Crimson Tide fans should be paying close attention to.
Is Miller’s NFL career over? By no means. He could be picked up by another team off waivers. He could sign elsewhere. He could be on a roster all year long. However, if none of that comes to fruition, and if it becomes clear that he clears waivers with nobody claiming him, there is a world where he returns to Alabama.
Jam Miller 2025 stats
- 130 carries
- 504 yards rushing
- 3 rushing touchdowns
Kalen DeBoer already addressed this scenario
Not only is there a world where Miller returns to Tuscaloosa, but Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about this exact scenario in recent weeks. DeBoer said “There’s a possibility out there. I can’t control that. I can’t worry about that. Just got to see how things work,” via a post from Theodore Fernandez. Well, now we have that very situation on our hands.
So the immediate question becomes: would Alabama really consider doing this? Would the Crimson Tide put themselves out there to be a villain, similar to what LSU is doing by trying to bring back a tight end and a pass rusher who spent time with NFL rosters? Or does Alabama skirt the conversation entirely and say they like what they have in Daniel Hill, E.J. Crowell, Kevin Riley, and the rest of that running back room, especially after starter AK Dear went down with an injury?
The bigger picture is kind of insane
In my opinion, the fact that this is even possible is kind of insane. Miller signed an NFL contract, put on an NFL jersey, played in three preseason games, and now he can just come back to college. Whether this is for Alabama, LSU, or McNeese State, I don’t really care who it benefits. I think it is an insane situation that we can even put this into practice in the sport of college football.
But from a player standpoint, and certainly from a coach’s standpoint, I understand both sides of the coin. If Miller can come back, earn NIL money, potentially win a national championship, and then return to the NFL with a stronger resume, why wouldn’t he? And if DeBoer can add a proven commodity to his backfield and give Alabama a better chance to win more games, why wouldn’t he do it too?
The Crimson Tide kick off against ECU this weekend, and the running back room lost its starter. The timing here is impossible to ignore. It will be fascinating to see what Alabama decides.
