Alabama’s Tuscaloosa (AP) — With Alabama running back Jake McClellan declaring for the NFL draft, the Crimson Tide will be without their two best rushers for the upcoming campaign.
McClellan made his choice public on social media on Tuesday. Roydell Williams, the number two rusher, had already logged onto the transfer website.
In 2023, McClellan had the most productive of his four years with Alabama, rushing for 890 yards and eight touchdowns, a team high.
McClellan wrote, “The teammates, coaches, and staff that I have met here are ones that I will cherish and remember forever.” “However, I think the next chapter of my life is now here after having some lengthy conversations with my family.”
Along with linebackers Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell, cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrence Arnold, wide receiver Jermaine Burton, and offensive tackle JC Latham, he is one of his teammates who has chosen to enter the draft.
Due to a foot injury, McClellan was unable to play in the SEC championship game against Georgia; however, he did play well in the Rose Bowl.
In the defeat to Michigan, which went on to win the national championship, he had 14 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He added 15 receptions for 137 yards.
During his time in college, McClellan ran for 1,981 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Jamarion Miller (215 yards) and Justice Haynes (160 yards) are the top returning running backs.
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Alabama finishes behind Georgia in final 2023 coaches poll
In the final coaches poll for the 2023 campaign, Alabama dropped one spot.
In the final AFC coaches poll for the 2023 college football season, which was made public on Tuesday, Alabama came in at number five.
The Tide fell one spot from their pre-playoff standing in the poll, where they were tied with Texas for fourth place.
Following the Bulldogs’ decisive Orange Bowl victory over Florida State, Georgia rose three spots to No. 3 in the final coaches poll, trailing only Washington and Michigan. The Seminoles, ranked third in the coaches’ pre-playoff poll, lost to the sixth-ranked team.
Each participating coach’s individual ballot is usually made available by USA Today, the organization that conducts the coaches poll. That implies that we will soon know how Nick Saban ranked the best teams in the country.
Alabama trailed Georgia in the final Associated Press poll on Tuesday, even after the Tide defeated the Bulldogs in the SEC championship game.
Final coaches poll
1. Michigan (63)
2. Washington
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. Alabama
6. Florida State
7. Oregon
8. Missouri
9. Ole Miss
10. Ohio State
