Tuscaloosa area product establishing permanent role at running back for Alabama

Alabama football running back, Kevin Riley is establishing what could be a permanent role at running back for him with Jam Miller sidelined at the moment.

Riley is a product of Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport, Alabama and is a former four-star recruit.

The back had the best game of his career against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday night when he rushed for 69 yards on 11 carries. He was solid against Florida State to open the season when he rushed for 31 yards on five carries.

While he was not listed as the Tide’s starting running back on Saturday against ULM, he was on the field at running back during Alabama football’s first offensive snap.

“It’s a group effort, and we just like that play with Kevin,” DeBoer said when asked why Riley got the first snap of the game. “That’s how he got in there right away

Riley is averaging 6.5 yards a carry at the moment, and DeBoer feels the back is coming on strong in Miller’s absence.

”He’s done a good job the last probably three weeks, four weeks, middle of camp,” DeBoer told reporters. “He really kind of turned it up and there’s some things that he can do that are a little different than the rest of the group there, like where he picks up his knees and runs hard, inside, outside, and it got a little burst. He does a nice job catching the ball in the backfield. I think he’s really picked up the understanding and responsibility when it comes to pass protection, too.”

The former four-star also added 45 yards on six receptions.

Kadyn Proctor was helping pave the way for Riley on Saturday. Riley’s performance came as no surprise to the offensive tackle.

“He did his job,” Proctor said. “That little man was scooting, and I’m proud of him. He was scooting and you can just see it. But, I give credit to everybody, too. All the running backs, they was out there doing their thing, too, but Kevin definitely showed up because he practices hard.”

Riley could remain a staple of Alabama’s rushing attack even when Miller returns.