| FTBL Best Running Back Saban Era

Crtuneman

Member
It's the boring off season again, and I was watching some old games and I was thinking about this. Who are the top RBs of the Saban era? Here are my choices. Post your choices and let's compare.

1. Derrick Henry - The King. He was a force of nature. Grown in a lab to be the perfect RB.
2. Najee Harris - His athleticism and vision were incredible and he was the most versatile of all the RBs
3. Trent Richardson - this may be controversial. Ingram may have won the Heisman but I think TR was the better back. His blend of speed, burst, and power was a joy to watch. I really thought he would make it in the NFL.
4. Mark Ingram - Alabama's first Heisman winner. Strong, smart, a true leader. He was always fun to watch, and he had heart.
5. Damien Harris - He was so talented, and he was very smart and versatile. He was a team guy.
6. TJ Yeldon - Fast, tough, good vision, great receiver. He was excellent in the open field.
7. Eddie Lacy - circle button. Good blend of athleticism and power.
8. Kenyan Drake - The fastest RB in the Saban era. The injury was a setback but he had an outstanding career at Bama
9. Josh Jacobs - Didn't get a lot of carries at Bama, and his stats didn't reflect his talent. But he was tough, smart, and athletic.
10. Bo Scarborough - Another one who didn't get a lot of carries, but he had power similar to King Henry. But not the speed
11. Glen Coffee - Tough, hard nosed, willing to do whatever the team needed. He was a very talented back on a not so talented team.

What do you think? Did I miss anyone? Do you disagree with my choices? Discuss.
 
Love me some Tractorcito!!!! All of these guys were special. Roy Upchurch even flashed some glimpses of being a stud, but injuries relegated him to a reserve role. He still had some HUGE moments.
 
It's the boring off season again, and I was watching some old games and I was thinking about this. Who are the top RBs of the Saban era? Here are my choices. Post your choices and let's compare.

1. Derrick Henry - The King. He was a force of nature. Grown in a lab to be the perfect RB.
2. Najee Harris - His athleticism and vision were incredible and he was the most versatile of all the RBs
3. Trent Richardson - this may be controversial. Ingram may have won the Heisman but I think TR was the better back. His blend of speed, burst, and power was a joy to watch. I really thought he would make it in the NFL.
4. Mark Ingram - Alabama's first Heisman winner. Strong, smart, a true leader. He was always fun to watch, and he had heart.
5. Damien Harris - He was so talented, and he was very smart and versatile. He was a team guy.
6. TJ Yeldon - Fast, tough, good vision, great receiver. He was excellent in the open field.
7. Eddie Lacy - circle button. Good blend of athleticism and power.
8. Kenyan Drake - The fastest RB in the Saban era. The injury was a setback but he had an outstanding career at Bama
9. Josh Jacobs - Didn't get a lot of carries at Bama, and his stats didn't reflect his talent. But he was tough, smart, and athletic.
10. Bo Scarborough - Another one who didn't get a lot of carries, but he had power similar to King Henry. But not the speed
11. Glen Coffee - Tough, hard nosed, willing to do whatever the team needed. He was a very talented back on a not so talented team.

What do you think? Did I miss anyone? Do you disagree with my choices? Discuss.

Don't disagree with this list at all
 
Great list. definitely agree with No. 1. I've seen some great running backs with Bama, but none gave me as much enjoyment as King Henry. The way he would hit and bust through a hole and then leave everyone in his wake was as fun to watch as...well heck, I find it hard to equate with anything else.

ROLL TIDE!
 
I guess I'm going to be an outlier and say, "it's Mark."

For one, he's just a hair behind TJ for career yards at the Capstone but that's not the reason I choose Ingram. It's 2009, vs UofSC, where he literally took over the ball game.

I know people will point to Derrick and mention the 270 yards he had against Auburn in 2015: on 48 carries. It just doesn't touch Mark's 250 on 24 carries in Columbia.

Coincidently, out of the three players Derrick mentioned when he committed, two were TJ and Mark. Without those two, would Henry have worn Crimson?
 
Jimmy Johns if CNS would ever put him in. 😉
:p

I'm only speculating when I think about the developing relationships between casino's and the media. It does make sense.

As an aside, this weekend's games also come on the heels of an NCAA report on the increasing number of gamblers within collegiate sports. (I think it's SI who has an article covering the report.) And, for what it's worth, the report does mention the number of people placing wagers on sports all across campus has increased with little noted differences between student athletes and students.
He did and he fumbled at goal line vs La Monroe...
 
Here's something else I was thinking about; RBs from different eras. Now this is just speculation based on observation, but I think that you can't really compare RBs from different eras to the ones today. It just seems like kids today are stronger, faster, more athletic and bigger. For example, Bobby Humphrey was one of the all time greats but do you think he is comparable to a Henry or Ingram or TR? Tony Nathan, Kerry Goode, Johnny Musso are all talented, but it seems like they can't compare to today's athletes. I'm not sure where the dividing line is, but I believe there is a big difference. I looked at a comparison between Earl Campbell (the Derrick Henry of his day) and Earl was 5'11", 230 pds. Compare that to King Henry at 6'3" 250 pds. What are your thoughts?
 
If you rank based on what they did for the program you have to put Ingram at 1, Richardson at 2, and Lacy at 3. Jump starting the Dynasty and setting the standard of that Running Back U. Coffee technically started it, but was on the backend of his career before everything changed.

If you rank based off career I think you have to go Henry at 1, Richardson at 2, Ingram at 3. Henry took the team on his back and won us a Championship and a Heisman trophy. Richardson did a lot of the same with a stout defense, but still took over the offense and won us a Natty. Ingram did a lot of the same winning as a Championship and a Heisman while instilling the values and just overall bad ass mentality that first contact will not take us down. A few bad mo fos right there.

If I ranked based off my preference I have to go Yeldon at 1, Richardson at 2, and Henry at 3. I loved Yeldon. He was my guy, first big recruit I wanted as an Alabama fan. The guy was slippery and was never down on first contact. upright as a runner with not real burner speed, but his lateral ability is unmatched by anyone else we've had during Saban's era. Had he stayed healthy with his hamstring and foot, plus stayed his last year, I think he is an all-time yardage guy. Richardson is my second favorite back at Alabama since becoming a fan. Was #1 until Yeldon came. Just a stout stud that carried the rock and punished defenses. Wore my #3 and was just a ton of fun to watch grow. I have his national Championship gloves from the Texas game, and I love them. If it wasn't for the bad draft luck and going to the Browns I honestly believe he has a much better career in the NFL. Henry was a guy that just took over the team and threw them on his back to an amazing season and National Championship and Heisman. He showed glimpses as a Freshman, but fell a little to the seniority and waiting your turn mentality that held him back. He turned it on and kept his head down while all they wanted to talk about was Leonard Fournette and he destroyed the guy statistically and in the trophy case. You love his grit and determination and it is showing as he is a great pro and still has the mentality that breaks the barriers so many in the executive office and media set up against him.
 
Last edited:
Saban era....Yep....the great and fabulous Henry.... a pure beast.... dont ever take a breath when he is in game because....he will "turn and burn"...

Greatest run...though...was jacobs....vs ok...when the dback or saftey got in his way...
And may still not know where he is...

And then greatest games...was. Henry vs AU....a zillion carries...AU was definately tired of tackling him

And Lacy...spinning and grinding vs ND In championship game..

Never forgetting the screen pass to Yeldon...vs LSU
Or Najee vs OSU

Oh..what about Ingram....the fumble vs AU that rolled down the sideline and through the back of endzone....or vs Tennessee l..with game wrapped...and let later to Mt Cody...Rocky Block
 
Back
Top Bottom