UAB finds Strength In Numbers At Running Back

By Steve Irvine

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - August 26, 2026

The plan all along was to bring in three starting quality running backs during the transfer portal signing period in January. UAB did just that with the addition Roderick Robinson III, Bam McReynolds and Ja’Vin Simpkins.

Because the way those three handled the situation, the plan is working the way that UAB running back coach Hindley Brigham envisioned it would work. All three have not only shown the ability to carry a heavy load but, more importantly, the willingness to share the football. So, the surface viewpoint of Brigham having difficulty keeping every running back happy has not played out in the running back room or on the field.

“I would say it is not difficult at all because those three guys have bought into the idea of a real rotation, wherein everybody has a role and a purpose,” Brigham said. “They have different times where it's their time to emerge and become the guy. I don't know if it would be as easy a task if you didn't have three guys like Ja’Vin, Bam and Rod, who are selfless, who are smart and who understand the bigger picture. Plus, in our offense, we move so fast that honestly, if we're moving down the field and we're doing what we're supposed to do, they need each other to come in and provide relief because the physical toll and the toll on your lungs can be significant when you're moving with real tempo.”

So times are good for the UAB running backs as the days tick down toward the season opener on Sept. 3 at Illinois. However, there has been a little added twist during a productive fall camp.

“Really it's more than three,” Simpkins said.

The top three of Robinson, McReynolds and Simpkins are still the backfield centerpieces but the emergence of freshmen Jayson Moll, Hudson Higgins and JR Mosley have built a new rotation dilemma for Brigham. Higgins and Mosley began working toward fitting into the rotation with strong performances in spring practice and the speedy Moll has burst his way – literally – into the mix during fall camp. All three are expected to have some type of role provided they remain healthy. Their emergence helped cushion the absence of Marquise Collins and Amari Brundidge because of injuries.

Brigham said the way that Higgins and Mosley have developed could make for a subtle change in the way he recruits high school players to play running back.

“Now that I've seen the jump that they were able to make, I would encourage all freshmen to get there in the spring and go ahead and learn the offense,” Brigham said. “It was difficult, I think, and overwhelming for them at times. But I think that it's paid dividends as we've gotten into this stretch going right into the season. (With the new five years to play five seasons rule on the way), it hurts me in no way to play them, actually it's only a positive thing. I'm gonna look for guys going forward that can be here in the spring because I just think it gives them a chance to play early and often when necessary.”

Moll didn’t arrive in Birmingham until the summer but he has shown flashes during fall camp that he is ready to get on the field if given an opportunity. He is a threat to take it the distance at any time. Robinson missed some time in the latter part of fall camp while nursing a soft tissue issue. They gave others more reps and opportunities.

Now, the backfield is still built around the top three and what they’ve been able to do has opened up what the offense is capable of accomplishing.

“Well, number one, I think that we've seen all three of those guys become very, very valuable assets as receivers,” Brigham said. “We know that all three of them can excel in that phase. I think on the field out here during fall camp and to some extent in the spring they've showed a great capacity to be an elite pass protector. I do think that they've shown us that their game is well-rounded and that really we can use all three of them in all phases. As runners, they’ve all shown they are capable in normal situations but also in goal line and short-yardage situations.”

McReynolds said all of that started off the field.

“Well, it’s a lot of camaraderie coming out of the group,” McReynolds said. “I feel like we're very close, very tight-knit and we understand that we all have our differences, but we're all explosive. When you put that together, it just creates an explosive backfield.”