Former 5-star running back enters transfer portal after bizarre sophomore season at Alabama

Alabama is set to lose former 5-star running back Justice Haynes to the transfer portal. The second-year playmaker was great in 2024, totaling 448 yards and seven touchdowns in only 79 carries. 

However, he took a backseat to Jam Miller and Jalen Milroe in the Alabama pecking order.

Now, the elite recruit who chose Alabama over Georgia and Ohio State is on the market. His father, Verron Haynes, played at Georgia from 1999 through 2001 before entering the NFL. 

Assuming Miller does not jump to the NFL, the Tide only has five running backs on its roster for 2025: Miller, Richard Young, Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, and Akylin Dear. Adding one of the top backs from the portal would be wise.

As for Haynes, it'd make sense for him to reconsider his two old flames. 

The Buckeyes are chasing after former USC back Quinten Joyner to replace Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, but they have zero proven depth anyway. Haynes and Joyner could coexist.

Georgia could have an opening if Trevor Etienne bolts for the NFL, as some think he will. The Bulldogs are never truly hurting at the position, but Haynes' connection there makes it a logical landing spot. 

The Crimson Tide made a mistake in not prioritizing both of its top backs throughout the 2024 season. They often had the advantage in the run game, but Kalen DeBoer only relied on Milroe to be the team's engine. That was one of several key mistakes throughout a turbulent debut campaign.

Losing Haynes isn't the end of the world, but it's a direct reflection of an unwillingness to rely on the ground game when the going got tough.