Tyler Booker had trouble hiding what excites him for the 2024 season when he spoke at SEC Media Days in July.

The Alabama football offensive lineman didn’t hold back or try to downplay how much he’s looking forward to seeing what the running game can do this season.

“I’m just very excited to block for those guys,” Booker said. “Those guys in that room are special.”

Booker was asked in Dallas who he predicted would be a breakout player for the Crimson Tide this season, and he decided to pick a group.

“I think the running back room is really set up for success in this because everybody in that room is a leader,” Booker said. “From Jam (Miller) to Richard (Young), everybody is making each other better.”

AL.com had a chance to see that in action on Sunday, watching the running backs during the entire viewing period of practice open to reporters. The 20 or so minutes of practice viewing featured mainly position work. Here’s what stood out.

Alabama football practice observations: Running backs

• One of the first drills that reporters saw involved quarterbacks handing off to running backs. They first showcased traditional handoffs, then they practiced pitches. Each quarterback always handed off to the same running back in these drills: Jalen Milroe and Justice Haynes; Ty Simpson and Jam Miller; Austin Mack and Richard Young; Dylan Lonergan and Daniel Hill; Cade Carruth and Kevin Riley. It went in that order.
• A few drills later, the order experienced a slight change. Running backs carried the ball under a chute that forced them to stay low as they ran. The order went Miller, Haynes, Young, Hill then Riley.
• That order continued during the next drill in which the running backs had to chop their feet and run around bags on the ground while carrying the ball.
• The order through drills may or may not be indicative of a pecking order at every position, but this one makes sense. At this point, Miller and Haynes are seen as the top two guys at the running back spot. It’s a 1A, 1B type setup. Alabama doesn’t necessarily need to have only one workhorse. Miller and Haynes figure to split the primary carries, and the way they ran through drills backs that up.
• Seeing Miller and Haynes navigate these drills that harp on running back fundamentals make it understandable why they’re at the front of the line. They both looked refined and confident as they took part in each rep. Crisp is another word that comes to mind. It makes sense considering they’ve been with the program the longest of any running back on the roster, particularly Miller.
• Young also figures to have a role behind Miller and Haynes. He looks the part of a tough SEC running back, and that showed in the spring game.
• The development of Riley and Hill will be worth watching. The two freshmen have potential and could be needed if Alabama has to call on running back depth this season.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.