Torn ACLs to Touchdowns: Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams Ready to Lead Alabama RBs in 2023-24

On Oct. 2, 2021, Alabama running back Jase McClellan — a sophomore at the time — tore his ACL against Ole Miss. Just over a month later, on Nov. 13, 2021, fellow sophomore running back Roydell Williams tore his ACL in the Crimson Tide’s game against New Mexico State.

The injury itself is hard to come back from. Devastating, yet common, a torn ACL can mean the end of a football career for some. The rehab process may be even harder — a grueling, several-month process that can take the life out of anybody, especially for a star football player looking to return to the field of play.

“The recovery process is a grind, man,” Williams said on "The Council,” a new video series surrounding the Alabama football program. “Coming in day in, day out. Morning time, after practice, before meetings — it’s constantly going. Rehab, training, lifting.”

What made the daily grind a little bit easier? The two were able to rehab together — and that’s where their bond grew to new heights.

“His tear was a little different than mine, so he had progressed a little faster than I did,” McClellan said. “So when I was getting my movement back, he came in, he was getting his movement back. I was a little jealous of him because he was getting his back a little faster than mine. [...] Seeing that you’re not alone, somebody else is going through the same thing, just having somebody with you there — it was very positive.”

“It was kind of crazy because it was like, [we] both play the same position, [we’re] both going through the same injury,” Williams said. “Sometimes we would ride together to treatment. Sometimes, [we would] do treatment together and then go to meetings together.”

McClellan and Williams both came to the Crimson Tide at the same time. McClellan, from Aledo, Texas, was the No. 7 RB in the class of 2020 — Williams, from Hueytown, Ala., was the No. 10 RB in the Class of 2020.

Now, both seniors look to lead Alabama’s loaded running back unit in 2023-24.

“Our relationship, man — that’s a strong bond,” Williams said. “I just appreciate him doing what he [does]. We come in each and every day, wanting to compete. No hate, no nothing.”

“When I first got here, Roydell was one of the first people I started talking to — going through the same thing as a freshman,” McClellan said. “Working to try and get on the field, working to show what we’re capable of. Since then, we’ve just been getting closer and closer.”

The two also graduated together from the University on Aug. 5.

“Graduating, going across the stage with him — it [was] kind of crazy,” Williams said. “It was like, ‘Alright, reality is hitting. It’s done.’”

McClellan and Williams still have one season left together. They headline a strong group of running backs the Crimson Tide will put on the field this season.

“Jase has been a really good leader,” head coach Nick Saban said on Aug. 3. “Roydell has always set a really good example. He’s a good special teams player, as well as a good runner. Loves to play on teams, loves to do whatever he can to help the team. Jase has really stepped up and set a good example. [...] ​​I think they all have great attitude, and I think that’s one of the strongest positions from a depth standpoint on our team.”

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