Jahmyr Gibbs ranked 3rd in all of college football in terms of all-purpose yards in 2021 while being marred by his surroundings in a Georgia Tech offense that, as a whole, ranked 92nd. Now in Tuscaloosa, the former Yellow Jacket is primed to break out as a featured member of the Crimson Tide backfield.
Nearly 1,400 yards of production are gone following the departure of Brian Robinson Jr., and while Alabama returns several backs from 2021, expectations are high for what Gibbs brings to the Tide. From SEC Media Days, Gibbs received high praise from Nick Saban and his quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.
“He’s super explosive, super dynamic and he’s really smart…Right when he got here, it felt like he’s been here for multiple years how well he understood the offense,” Young said.
Young went on to highlight Gibbs’ versatility as a weapon catching passes out of the backfield and his ability in pass protection. A season ago, Gibbs racked up 746 yards on the ground in addition to 470 in the air with six total touchdowns. Also a threat in the return game, Gibbs averaged over 25 yards per kick return in 2021.
Echoing his quarterback’s sentiments, Will Anderson Jr.—the top defensive player in the sport entering the upcoming season—has seen Gibbs from the other side of the ball and says opposing defenses will have their hands full with the running back transfer.
“He’s very fast. He’s a great running back but, the scariest thing about him is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield, and to be running with him as a linebacker on any wheel routes, slants or anything he does is going to be scary to watch, he’s a great player,” Anderson said.
Gibbs isn’t the only transfer from the state of Georgia to wind up wearing Crimson as former UGA WR Jermaine Burton is expected to be a primary target for Young this season.
The Crimson Tide were knocked off their perch by the Bulldogs in 2021-22 and the two programs enter the season on a collision course toward a rematch in the SEC Title game.
