Justice Haynes is leaving, Jam Miller is staying, but what about the rest of Alabama’s backfield? Barring any more offseason transition, the Crimson Tide will still have five running backs who were rated as four-star talents coming out of high school

While talent shouldn’t be an issue, Miller is the only member of that bunch with extended in-game reps. Heading into this month’s ReliaQuest Bowl, the rising senior’s 209 career carries are more than three times as many as the rest of the Tide’s current backs combined.

Still, Alabama feels good about its upcoming backfield, even after Haynes’ departure. While the Tide might pounce if the right back hits the portal, the position is low on its list of offseason priorities. With that said, here’s a look at how next year’s backfield could shape up.

A season ago, the Alabama Crimson Tide advanced to the College Football Playoff despite losing a game during the regular season. Their inclusion in the four-team CFP caused controversy as it forced undefeated Florida State to be left out of the tournament for the national championship.

One year later, and Alabama did not get the benefit of making the now 12-team CFP with a worse record than another team in contention. Despite ranking No. 11 in the final College Football Playoff Top 25 and the AP poll, Alabama was left out of the inaugural 12-team CFP after finishing the regular season 9–3. Instead of competing for a title, Alabama will face Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

The exclusion of Alabama has garnered further scrutiny after No. 8 Indiana fell completely flat at No. 5 Notre Dame in the first game of the CFP. Several college football and Alabama fans called out the committee putting Indiana into the tournament over the Crimson Tide following the Hoosiers’ 27–17 loss to the Fighting Irish.

Though Indiana disappointed in their CFP debut, they were not necessarily on the brink of missing the CFP this season. While the Hoosiers faced an easy schedule during the regular season, they went a commanding 11–1, only falling to Ohio State during the regular season, another CFP team.

As plenty of other fans pointed out, Alabama did not take care of business when it mattered during the regular season. The Crimson Tide were blown out by Oklahoma at the end of the season, and also fell to Vanderbilt. They might have been a better team overall, but losing to two unranked teams cannot be overlooked.

Big Lots has announced it is preparing to close all its remaining store locations, marking the end of an era for the chain that has served customers for decades. This announcement follows months of uncertainty surrounding the company’s financial future and its efforts to secure a going concern transaction.

Big Lots has 23 stores in Alabama, according to their website.

“We all have worked extremely hard and have taken every step to complete a going concern sale,” said Bruce Thorn, President and CEO of Big Lots. “While we remain hopeful that we can close an alternative going concern transaction, in order to protect the value of the Big Lots estate, we have made the difficult decision to begin the GOB process.”

Big Lots’ decision to initiate GOB sales underscores the challenges the retailer has faced in an increasingly competitive retail landscape. While the company will continue to operate both in-store and online during this process, the impending closures signal a significant shift for loyal customers who have relied on Big Lots for affordable home goods, furniture, and everyday essentials.

The company has assured customers and stakeholders that it will provide updates as developments occur. Additionally, those involved in related legal proceedings can find detailed information, including how to file a proof of claim, through resources provided by Kroll Restructuring Administration LLC.

As Big Lots prepares for its closure, its legacy as a go-to destination for budget-conscious shoppers will not be forgotten. For now, the focus remains on the transition process and the possibility of securing a transaction that could preserve some aspects of the business. In the meantime, shoppers can expect significant discounts as the GOB sales commence in the coming days.