Sources: Jase McClellan to Miss 2023 SEC Championship Against No. 1 Georgia
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama starting running back Jase McClellan missed practice for the fourth time this week and will be out of the 2023 SEC Championship against No. 1 Georgia, sources told BamaCentral on Thursday.
McClellan reinjured his foot late in the Crimson Tide's 27-24 win in the Iron Bowl on Saturday evening. He has been unable to practice at all this week.
McClellan leads Alabama in rushing yards (803) and carries (166), and has six touchdowns on the ground as well. He also has 13 receptions for 126 yards.
Stepping in for McClellan will be fellow senior Roydell Williams, as well as Jam Miller and Justice Haynes. The three of them have just 146 combined attempts this year. However, Williams (5.3), Miller (5.4) and Haynes (6.5) all have a higher YPC rate than McClellan (4.8). Of course, the Crimson Tide will also have the legs of quarterback Jalen Milroe, who is second on the team in carries with 126.
"Our team is trying to focus on what they need to do to go play the kind of game that we'll need to play to beat a very, very good team — probably the best team we played all year," head coach Nick Saban said on Thursday.
"I think the challenge for us, as a player, you got to be ready to play and assume that the guy you're playing against is the best player you played against all year. I think if you take that approach, channel your energy and enthusiasm into execution on the field, that will give you your best chance to be successful."
