Alabama football’s starting running back said Thursday that he’s feeling ready to return after missing the SEC championship game due to a foot injury. The Crimson Tide faces Michigan Monday in the Rose Bowl, likely with the services of Jase McClellan.

“I feel great,” McClellan said. “With this time off we had, just to get ready, get some time under me and just get back ready so I feel good.”

The senior running back has dealt with a foot injury throughout the season. He re-aggravated it in the Iron Bowl win over Auburn. McClellan missed the SEC championship game victory over Georgia.

Nick Saban said Wednesday that he was optimistic about McClellan’s status for the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Wolverines.

“Jase is doing great. He practiced yesterday and today. Looks good. We gave him a lot of time off to try and heal his foot and it seems like its paid off.” Saban said during a press conference at Disneyland.

McClellan said he was frustrated to miss the upset win over Georgia in Atlanta, but the time off was beneficial. He also said there wasn’t a chance he was going to miss the Rose Bowl.

“There was no way,” he said. “I was trying not to miss the SEC championship game, but the doctor told me that was the best idea was to miss it, so I could play in the future.”

In McClellan’s absence, Roydell Williams and Jam Miller stepped up in the Alabama RB rotation. The senior praised both of his teammates for their efforts against the Bulldogs.

He also looked forward to facing Michigan’s stellar run defense on Monday.

“It’s a great challenge for us running the football,” McClellan said. “Those guys move up front, they use their hands to swim, loop a lot. And those linebackers come in, they plug a lot, so it’s a great challenge for us.”

Alabama and Michigan are scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. Monday in Pasadena. The game will be aired on ESPN.