Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is making NFL history. On December 4, Gibbs scored three touchdowns in the Lions’ 44-30 win over the Dallas Cowboys, tying Barry Sanders’ record for most touchdowns in a player’s first three seasons before turning 24.

Gibbs Chasing Historic Record
Barry Sanders, one of the NFL’s greatest running backs, scored 47 touchdowns from 1989–1991. Gibbs, who has four regular-season games left in 2025, is on track to break Sanders’ record with 48 touchdowns. So far, Gibbs has 39 rushing touchdowns and 8 receiving touchdowns.

Nick Saban on Jahmyr Gibbs’ Unique Skill Set
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban, who coached Gibbs at Alabama, praised the running back’s versatility and athleticism on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show.

“He’s tough, a great person, a great receiver, and this guy can just do it all,” Saban said. “He makes people miss, runs behind his pads, and has explosive speed out of a cut. What he can do as a complete player in this offense is unique.”

From Alabama to Detroit: Gibbs’ Journey
Gibbs was the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after a standout season at Alabama, transferring from Georgia Tech. Detroit traded up to select him, surprising draft analysts. At Alabama, he ran for 926 yards with seven touchdowns and caught 44 passes for 444 yards and three scores in his only season.

Lions’ Offense Thrives Behind Gibbs
Gibbs’ performance has helped Detroit become one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFL in 2025, with 16 touchdowns to date, second only to Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s 18. With quarterback Jared Goff and top receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, the Lions’ offense is firing on all cylinders.

Upcoming Challenge: Los Angeles Rams
Gibbs will aim for his 48th touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, 3:25 p.m. CST. Rams coach Sean McVay highlighted Gibbs’ explosiveness and versatility.

“Every single time he touches it, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, he might score.’ He’s unbelievable in both phases of the game.”

Playoff Implications
Detroit (8-5) trails the NFC North leader Green Bay Packers by 1.5 games, currently just outside the playoff field. Meanwhile, the Rams (10-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a victory over Detroit.

New Jersey Number, Same Dominance
Gibbs is now wearing No. 0 after wearing No. 26 in his first two seasons. Nick Saban joked:

“I’m not big on what number they wear when they can score touchdowns like he does. He can have no number.”

Conclusion
Jahmyr Gibbs continues to solidify his status as one of the NFL’s most dynamic running backs, drawing comparisons to Barry Sanders and proving the Detroit Lions made a historic draft-day decision. With the postseason approaching, Gibbs’ record chase is a storyline no football fan will want to miss.

I can also make a shorter, high-SEO version optimized for clicks and Google News if you want—it would focus heavily on “Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown record” and “Barry Sanders comparison.”