Despite a rough 2025 and injuries already plaguing the Alabama Crimson Tide, there is hope for the team's rushing attack in 2026. AK Dear and EJ Crowell have already been dinged up, but offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was full of praise for another young rusher who will have a chance to make an impact this fall. As detailed by Hunter De Siver of Alabama Crimson Tide on SI, Trae'shawn Brown is impressing at fall camp.
Grubb particularly praised Brown's ability to foresee tacklers and cut quickly to avoid them. "Man, really, really good empty cut vision, meaning when he gets into a hole, blind cut defenders, he can see and feel that next guy," Grubb said. "Very good anticipatory skills.
He's great out of the backfield." Brown, a freshman who measures at 5-foot-10 and 206 pounds, is also adept without the ball in his hands, Grubb added. "Much better pass protector than people would think because he's short, but he plays down in the middle of defenders, he's got good feet and he's a smart kid," Grubb detailed. "So, impressive young player." Brown wasn't a highly heralded recruit — he was a three-star out of Huntsville, Texas — but he has an opportunity to cement his place as a key part of the Tide's running game given those injuries to Dear and Crowell.
Crowell will likely only miss part of camp, but Dear will miss the first month of the season, or perhaps more. The first month of the year is typically a bit less rigorous than October and November, so having Brown step up would allow Grubb to continue his campaign of "resurrecting the run game," something that also will depend upon rebuilt offensive line. If the new linemen click together and if a couple of solid running backs establish themselves earlier in the season, though, look out.
The Crimson Tide doesn't lack talent, and if they perform closer to their potential, another College Football Playoff trip is likely in the cards.
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