Who is Jahmyr Gibbs? What to know about Alabama RB looking to earn first-round NFL draft selection | Sporting News (2024)

This story has been updated from a previous version.

With each passing year, the NFL places less and less emphasis on what used to be the driving force of offenses: running backs.

Indeed, backs can't earn a first-round selection in the NFL Draft — and the contract that comes with it — with just their rushing skills. These players have to be multifaceted, showing explosiveness, speed, pass-catching skill and blocking ability, at the least.

MORE: Updates, highlights from NFL Combine workouts

Luckily for Jahmyr Gibbs, he displayed those traits during his college career, first at Georgia Tech and then at Alabama, where played in 2022. The Dalton, Ga., product left Tuscaloosa for the draft on the strength of his junior season. Now, he will look to show he should be one of the top 31 picks in April.

The NFL isn't hurting for running backs from Alabama. The league's top two rushers in 2022 call the university their alma mater: Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry. Another former Crimson Tide back, Najee Harris, rushed for 1,034 yards this past season. Gibbs wants to be the next one.

Gibbs can't produce any more game tape, but there still remains the 2023 NFL Combine, where he can impress scouts and executives in positional drills, interviews and, perhaps most importantly, the 40-yard dash. If he has a productive visit to Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, he could vault himself higher in the draft.

The Sporting News has everything you need to know about Gibbs, including where he is mocked in the 2023 NFL Draft, his height and weight, his projected 40 time, college stats and more:

Jahmyr Gibbs NFL Mock Draft 2023 projection

Gibbs is listed in The Sporting News' latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft, at 31st overall to the Eagles, and is rated highly in Vinnie Iyer's latest top 125 big board. Gibbs is ranked 20th overall and the No. 2 running back, behind only Texas' Bijan Robinson.

Iyer describes Gibbs as a multifaceted player with the tools to succeed at the next level. "Gibbs is a game-breaking runner with the required elements of pure speed, quickness and explosiveness. He also reads his blocks well with good vision," Iyer writes.

Jahmyr Gibbs height, weight

Gibbs was listed at 5-11 and 200 pounds, per his Alabama and Georgia Tech bios. Those were updated to 5-9, 199 pounds at the NFL combine — shorter and lighter than two running backs to whom Gibbs had previously drawn comparisons: 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (5-11, 205) and Saints running back Alvin Kamara (5-10, 215).

Though Gibbs is not the pure runner that McCaffrey and Kamara are, he uses his pass-catching ability, speed and elusiveness to stretch the field and give offenses more opportunities to use him.

MORE: Bryce Young's combine measurements draw comparisons to Kyler Murray

Jahmyr Gibbs 40 time

Prior to the combine, Gibbs had not run the 40-yard dash since before he transferred to Alabama from Georgia Tech. Per The Tuscaloosa News, Gibbs said his last 40-yard dash was clocked at 4.32 seconds and is hoping he can "get even faster."

Gibbs ultimately fell short of that goal on Sunday, even while he turned in an impressive 40 time: an official 4.36, second among running backs behind Devon Achane (4.32) and tied for seventh at the 2023 combine.

Roll Tide. Jahmyr Gibbs runs a 4.36u on his 2nd attempt!@AlabamaFTBL | @Jahmyr_Gibbs1

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/vcZPvk2FN5

— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2023

MORE: Tracking the fastest 40 times from the 2023 NFL Combine

By comparison, McCaffrey and Kamara were clocked in the same drill at 4.48 and 4.56 seconds, respectively. Here is what Gibbs' game speed looked like when he rushed for touchdowns of 72 and 76 yards against Arkansas:

MORE: Complete list of NFL Combine records, from 40 times to bench press reps

Jahmyr Gibbs stats

Though Gibbs does not have overwhelming individual college stats (he never eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards or 500 receiving yards in a season), one thing he has consistently showcased is his game-breaking ability. That's evidenced by his 5.6 yards per carry and 11.7 yards per reception for his career.

What will also help Gibbs stand out is his versatility, particularly in the passing game. He caught a career- and team-high 44 passes from likely top-three pick Bryce Young in 2022.

Rushing

Receiving

Kick returns

All-purpose yards

Jahmyr Gibbs highlights

Georgia Tech (2021)

Alabama (2022)