50 players Alabama fans need to know: This running back could be a touchdown vulture
Between now and the unofficial kickoff to the football preseason at SEC Media Days on July 20, AL.com is featuring one Alabama football player per day. We continue the series today with Daniel Hill.
Olivia Bennett 
EDITOR’S NOTE: Between now and the unofficial kickoff to the 2026 football preseason at SEC Media Days on July 20, 205focus.com is featuring one Alabama football player per day. We continue the series today with running back Daniel Hill.
When Alabama takes the field this season, fans will notice a physically transformed Daniel Hill. The running back has undergone a noticeable change in his build, dropping from his 2025 listed weight of 244 pounds down to 236 pounds.
This transition was a deliberate move to refine his game. As Hill explained during the spring, he overhauled his diet by cutting out junk food and intensifying his conditioning. "I had to change the way I was eating, cardio more," Hill said. "That’s really it. And just keep working at that. That’s something I feel like I needed to change. The coaches felt like I needed to change, and I made a commitment to myself to get my weight down."
Aiming for a bounce-back
Hill’s transformation arrives at a pivotal time for an Alabama ground game looking to recover from a difficult 2025 campaign. The Crimson Tide struggled to find consistency last year, finishing 123rd out of 134 FBS teams in rushing yards per game.
While the team has brought in fresh talent like freshmen EJ Crowell and Trae’shawn Brown, Hill remains a frontrunner to lead the running back room in scores.
The ultimate goal-line threat
After finding the end zone six times in 2025, Hill continues to profile as a potent goal-line weapon. Despite trimming down, he retains elite strength, evidenced by a staggering 805-pound squat. "I’ve always been able to squat a lot," Hill noted. "I don’t know, it just happened. I really don’t know how to explain it. They threw it on the bar and I did it."
Even if another back paces the team in total yardage, Hill is well-positioned to serve as the team’s primary "touchdown vulture," serving as the go-to option when Alabama needs to punch the ball into the end zone.
COMING TUESDAY: We feature Crimson Tide offensive lineman Michael Carroll.
