From what I understand about Nick Saban's view on the offense is he's very risk adverse. He's said a number of times he's happy with any possession that ends in a kick.
I think we'd all agree there are some situations that call for a designed run, but I just don't see Nick Saban as using his quarterback primarily as a runner unless he really has no other choice. There's a lot more than can go wrong once you start using your quarterback in this manner, more injury risks, more fumbles, etc...
I firmly believe Nick Saban would prefer his quarterback pass when it is available and for the runs to be to evade contact, when the defense is giving him too much space, or on short yardage situations that call for it. It is just hard for me to imagine him setting aside a core part of his philosophy to get away from the pass first philosophy. Even Blake Sims threw for ten times as many yards as he ran for, and we're talking about a guy that played running back. I just think Nick Saban loves having that additional weapon, the potential for someone to turn a sack into a gain, the ability for a quarterback to force the defense to either account for him or make some big gains. I do not at all believe he's going to do anything like Auburn did with Nick Marshall. Like I said Blake threw for ten times as many yards his senior year as he ran. Nick Marshall in 2013? He passed for 1976 and ran for 1068 (and rushed for twice as many TDs). I really don't think that's what Nick wants out of the position.
On another note, my wife messaged me and asked what I thought about the new QB. At first I was confused since she doesn't follow recruiting and I thought she must have got it into her head that a starter was announced or something. But no, she is like Alabama got a left-handed quarterback from Hawaii. She says she saw some videos and "he can run". So yeah, my wife who is from Europe is taking note of his talent so that has to say something.