Alabama already had an impressive duo of running backs, Roydell Williams and Kyle Edwards, committed for the 2020 recruiting class. But on Wednesday, the Crimson Tide made arguably its biggest addition of all.
During a ceremony at his high school, four-star running back Jase McClellan, out of Aledo (Tex.), flipped from Oklahoma to Alabama after being committed to the Sooners since July of 2017.
McClellan is the nation’s No. 43 overall player and No. 8 running back, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He’s also the No. 6 player from the state of Texas.
As a junior in 2018, the 5-foot-11, 202-pound bruiser rushed for over 2,000 yards and 47 touchdowns on 269 carries, good for a 7.7-yard average. He also added 107 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Alabama’s depth chart at running back was impressive at the top this season, but depth was a question mark behind Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr.
With Harris expected to leave early for the NFL draft, there are some opportunities for the 2020 trio to claim a role, even if former five-star running back Trey Sanders is returning from injury.
Remember, the Tide’s coaching staff has typically liked having at least a three-headed stable of rushers — if not four in some instances.
Adding a player of McClellan’s caliber certainly goes a long way in ensuring Alabama’s depth chart is solidified for the future, both in 2020 and beyond.
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