The praise has been nearly universal surrounding new Alabama back Jahmyr Gibbs. Since transferring from Georgia Tech, it’s clear he’s the frontrunner to succeed Brian Robinson as the first option from the backfield.
It’s the versatility that’s made him such an interesting piece of the retooled puzzle for Bryce Young and the Crimson Tide offense surrounding him. That should make his choice of NFL influences fairly predictable.
Meeting with reporters in Tuscaloosa for the first time Friday, Gibbs said he likes to model his game after Carolina Panther running back Christian McCaffrey and Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers.
“That’s what the NFL likes,” Gibbs said.
McCaffrey has a rushing attempt-to-reception ratio of 781:357 since entering the league in 2017. Jones isn’t as balanced at 822:183 while Gibbs was 232:60 in his two years with the Yellow Jackets.
Robinson, now with the Washington Commanders, caught 35 passes while running the ball 271 times last year with Bill O’Brien calling the plays and Young distributing the ball.
Alabama defenders have been complimentary since spring practice and now into August.
“He’s shifty. He got me yesterday in practice in team run,” Alabama defensive lineman DJ Dale said. “I thought I had him to break down. He made me stop my feet. He stopped and kept going and he was gone. He was a very dynamic piece to our offense and I’m glad we got him.”
Gibbs downplayed the cultural differences between Alabama and Georgia Tech since there were some Saban disciples in Atlanta but has enjoyed working with the returning Heisman Trophy winner in Tuscaloosa.
“It’s been great. Bryce is very smart,” Gibbs said. “He’s very instinctive. He knows exactly where the ball is being placed before the ball is every snapped. Like, it’s crazy. I don’t even know how to explain it.”
As far as the rest of his teammates, Gibbs said he fit in immediately after making the move west. He became fast friends with players like Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams. The other running backs were helpful with all the logistical changes coming his way.
“Them boys are cool,” he said. “Them boys, they are funny. I like them a lot. When I first got here, they taught me what it’s like being here. They talk me through games and stuff.”
And running backs coach Robert Gillespie was a familiar face since he recruited Gibbs for his previous employer, North Carolina.
“So it wasn’t like I was meeting a stranger,” Gibbs said.
Alabama also returns Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams at running back after the two recovered from ACL tears. Trey Sanders is also back his redshirt junior season while two highly-rated freshmen arrive in Emmanuel Henderson of Geneva County and Jamarion Miller of Tyler, Texas.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.
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