Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jase McClellan. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Alabama's leading rusher to miss SEC title game

By Cameron Kiszla | Last updated 11/30/23

The Alabama Crimson Tide will reportedly be without the team's top rusher when they take on undefeated Georgia on Saturday.

Jase McClellan, who has rushed for 300 more yards than anyone else on the team, "reinjured" his foot against Auburn last week and will miss the SEC Championship Game, as reported by Austin Hannon of Sports Illustrated's BamaCentral.

The senior has 803 yards and six touchdowns on the season, far ahead of the second-leading rusher Roydell Williams, a senior who has 497 yards and four scores, according to ESPN.

Earlier Thursday, head coach Nick Saban said the injury is something McClellan has battled through the year, as reported by Matt Stahl of AL.com. At that time, Saban said that McClellan was "questionable," though he admitted it's "probably too early to tell."

Nick Saban provides the latest on Alabama RB Jase McClellan (foot)

"I'd say that we'd have to say he's probably questionable for the game at this point, but I think it's probably too early to tell."https://t.co/F8SGARWNOa pic.twitter.com/t82x3K3zg8
— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) November 30, 2023

If McClellan indeed misses Saturday's game between the Crimson Tide (11-1) and Georgia Bulldogs (12-0), Bama fans can take solace in their stable of alternatives.

In addition to Williams, sophomore Jam Miller and freshman Justice Haynes have garnered some experience, with Miller scoring once and Haynes twice.

While their total rushing yards may not jump off the page at just over 300 combined, their averages — 5.4 yards per carry for Miller and 6.5 per carry for Haynes — show they have the ability to fill in for McClellan.

Oh yeah, and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is pretty good on his feet, too, with 439 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

If Milroe sustains his high level of play and the young running backs can effectively spell the elder Williams, stopping the Alabama rushing attack will still be a challenge for the Bulldogs, whether McClellan plays or not.

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