J'Alan Terry

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-0, 190 lbs. Taller than 73% and heavier than 35% of 2026 Running Back prospects in the SEC Scouts database (138 with a listed size).

Play Style

On the limited film and game data available, Terry plays like a former DB with the ball in his hands. He is a decisive, upright one-cut runner who sees space well in the second level and gets vertical quickly after his first plant. In Coosa Christian's offense he worked as the primary ball carrier and also a receiving threat. His best moments come in space, bouncing outside or turning a short catch into chunk yardage, rather than grinding between the tackles. His defensive background shows in how he reads leverage on the perimeter.

Strengths

• Positional versatility: he was listed at CB, S, WR and RB at Coosa Christian. That background usually means good open-field footwork, ball tracking and comfort catching the ball away from his body, which helps a third-down or receiving back.
• Production when given the ball: in documented games he ran for 164 yards and 2 total touchdowns against Tuscaloosa Academy (10/25/2024), and had 83 yards and a touchdown in a 29-2 upset of perennial power Fyffe (2024). The Fyffe game came against the best defensive talent on his schedule.
• Camp-tested athleticism: he earned work in Clemson's top RB group under CJ Spiller and drew Power 4 offers (GT, UT, UK, Vandy, per TigerNet). Evaluators who watched him in person rated him well above his #2533 national ranking.
• Football IQ and two-way stamina: he played both ways for Rush Propst at a small school, so he is used to a heavy snap count and to a demanding coach running a pro-style program.

Areas to Improve

• Play strength and mass: at about 190 lb he needs 15-20 lb of functional weight to finish runs through contact and survive pass-protection reps against SEC linebackers. Without it he is limited to a change-of-pace or special-teams role.
• Level of competition and RB-specific reps: he faced 1A/2A defenses and split time on defense, so his inside-zone vision, pressing the line of scrimmage, cutback patience and blitz-pickup technique are all unproven against Power 4 fronts. These will need heavy coaching in his first year.

College Projection

He is a developmental depth back at Alabama. Reports describe him as a preferred walk-on, and he is behind Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, Trae'shawn Brown and Khalifa Keith in the 2026 room. A 2026 redshirt is the most likely outcome; the four-game rule could allow special-teams or late-game snaps. His fastest path to the field is kick coverage and return units in Years 1-2, where his DB background helps. A rotational or third-down RB role is a realistic ceiling by Years 3-4 if he reaches about 205 lb. If the depth chart stays crowded, his offer list makes him a strong transfer-portal candidate for a G5 or lower-P4 starting job.

Best Fit

A spread or wide-zone program that uses backs as receivers and values versatility, such as Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt or Kentucky (all of which offered), or a G5 Air Raid / RPO system where he could start early. At Alabama, his value comes from special teams plus a third-down role, and he may also be worth trying on defense. Moving him to safety or nickel is a realistic option if he stays at about 190 lb, given his high school work at CB and S.