Jahmyr Gibbs, who has flashed his way into the spotlight during the University of Alabama football fall camp, was asked on Friday what his goals were in his first season in Tuscaloosa.
You don't need a stat sheet to figure it out.
"I don't really look at it that way," said Gibbs, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior from Dalton, Georgia. "I'm more of a team guy. I just want to win the national championship."
It doesn't take long to figure out what Gibbs brings to the Crimson Tide backfield after his transfer from Georgia Tech. He's a versatile big play waiting to happen. In 2021, as a sophomore, Gibbs accumulated 1,805 yards in total yards with seven touchdowns. The most impressive – as well as most important – part of that is how the yards were split up. He had 143 carries for 746 yards, 36 receptions for 470 yards and 23 kickoff returns for 589 yards.
"Honestly, he's different, very dynamic, can do anything, run the ball, catch the ball," said Alabama defensive lineman D.J. Dale. "He's shifty. He got me yesterday in practice in team run. I thought I could break down. He made me stop my feet. He stopped and kept going, and he was gone. He's a very dynamic piece to this offense, and I'm glad we have him."
Gibbs said what sets him apart from some running backs is his pass-catching ability.
"I would say my biggest strength is probably catching out of the backfield," said Gibbs, who had 24 receptions as a freshman. "I'm trying to do my best to model my game after Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones, players like that who can catch it out of the backfield."
A big part of that is the relationship he's building with UA quarterback Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Gibbs said they've worked on developing the chemistry in the passing game during the spring and fall camp.
"Bryce is very smart. He's very instinctive," Gibbs said. "He knows exactly where the ball is going to be placed before the ball is even snapped. It's crazy. I don't know how to explain it."
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819news.com.
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