Jahmyr Gibbs named Alabama’s key newcomer from transfer portal
Jahmyr Gibbs transferred to Alabama with hopes of boosting his stats and improving his draft stock. In turn, he hopes to provide Alabama with a boost in the run game.
Gibbs is one of three offensive weapons that transferred into the program for the 2022 cycle. Out of those three players, Gibbs is considered to be the “key newcomer” from the transfer portal, according to On3’s Mike Huguenin.
Despite having a stacked running back room for the 2022 season, Huguenin feels that Gibbs will make an impact in his own way this season for Alabama:
Gibbs was solid for poor Georgia Tech offenses the past two seasons, rushing for a combined 1,206 yards and eight touchdowns and averaging 5.2 yards per carry. That two-season total at Tech is reachable this season alone with the Tide. He’ll run behind a good line and be surrounded by elite skill-position talent, including Heisman winner Bryce Young. Yes, Alabama returns Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams and Trey Sanders at running back. But the Tide didn’t nab Gibbs out of the transfer portal to sit on the bench. He will share carries, for sure, but he’ll also get more carries than the other guys. Gibbs has good speed and is an excellent receiver (59 receptions in two seasons), a skill that coordinator Bill O’Brien figures to use often.
Gibbs was the leading rusher for Georgia Tech prior to the move to Tuscaloosa. In 2021, Gibbs rushed for 746 yards and four touchdowns on 143 carries in Geoff Collins’ offense. He was second in rushing during the COVID-shortened season in 2020, where he rushed for 460 yards and four touchdowns in seven games.
Gibbs is also a threat when it comes to receiving in the backfield. In two seasons, Gibbs also reeled in 60 passes for 773 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Alabama fans got their first look at Gibbs during A-Day in April. Following the game, head coach Nick Saban praised Gibbs’ ability to turn on the jets.
I think he gives us something at the running back position because he’s really good at pressing the holes, but he has a great burst to get to top speed quickly in setting up blocks. Very good running back, very good receiver, a good third-down back. Very good addition.
When Gibbs sets foot on the field for the Crimson Tide’s season opener, he will have two seasons of eligibility available.
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Predicting Alabama's RB rotation for the 2022 season
