🏈 Good Read About Josh Jacobs

[bama alum]

Freshman RB Jacobs steps up in Harris’ absence for Tide


Freshman RB Jacobs steps up in Harris’ absence for Tide


Ken Rogers
Alabama sports reporter | Updated 47 minutes ago

No one expected Alabama’s quartet of running backs to replace Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry for production, power and performance.

Damien Harris certainly seemed like a worthy successor as the Crimson Tide’s feature back. Through three games, Harris led Alabama with 36 carries, 327 yards rushing (9.1 yards per carry) and a touchdown. Just as important, he showed explosiveness with three rushes covering 45 yards or longer.

When Harris sprained his right ankle and was knocked out of the Kent State game on the opening drive last Saturday, true freshman Joshua Jacobs entered for the sophomore.

Jacobs rushed 11 times for 97 yards – including two first-quarter touchdown runs of 1 and 24 yards – and did so with a physical running style that belied his 5-10, 204-pound frame.

“He did a great job for us, being a young guy,” senior tight end O.J. Howard said. “He knew he had to step up with Damien going down. All of our backs stepped up big, but to see that from a true freshman was very encouraging.”

Left guard Ross Pierschbacher credited running backs coach Burton Burns for bringing Jacobs along quickly.

“I think trust is the biggest thing for us as far as just knowing how to run the ball, where to hit it and as far as protection wise, too,” Pierschbacher said. “I know that’s big for a young back to learn all that stuff, which is tough, and I think he’s done a very nice job.”

Jacobs, from Tulsa, Okla., wasn’t just a long shot to be on the field for Alabama, he wasn’t expected to be in the Crimson Tide’s signing class at this time a year ago.

“We were searching last year in recruiting for running backs, because we knew we had a little bit of a depth issue losing the top two guys we had last year, Derrick and Kenyan (Drake),” Alabama coach Nick Saban said.

“We found Josh a little late in recruiting but we were happy that we were able to get him. We were very impressed with him.”

It didn’t take long for Howard to be impressed, either.

“I saw Josh during fall camp have a couple of great days in the two scrimmages we had,” Howard said. “I could tell he had some good talent. He made some plays that were positive because he was breaking tackles he shouldn’t have been able to break. I thought, ‘Yeah, this kid has some juice.’ That’s when I really noticed he was so good.”

Saban said Jacobs is obviously a very instinctive player, but also has displayed “great maturity and understanding” picking up Alabama’s offensive concepts.

“I think it shows up in his play and how he plays, and it’s certainly showed up in how he’s developed to be able to play,” Saban said. “Hopefully, he’ll continue to improve and get better and he’ll be able to be productive as we move forward.”

Jacobs hardly has to do it on his own. Bo Scarbrough gained 19 yards on three carries before he was sidelined with a thigh bruise. Jacobs’ more celebrated classmate, true freshman B.J. Emmons, gained 51 yards on eight carries. Derrick Gore got six carries in the blowout victory.

“All those guys have done a really nice job,” Pierschbacher said. “It’s nice knowing that if somebody was to go down, we have guys back there that can execute and do a really good job for us. It makes it fun for us to see those guys step up and play on a big stage like this and have that success.”

He said it doesn’t matter who the running back is to the offensive linemen.

“I mean, we’re going to block it the same way no matter what,” the guard said. “It’s just fun to see those guys have fun.”

Still, Jacobs did look quick coming through the hole and coming out of several jump-cuts to gain extra yards.

“All those guys are really quick, and he (Jacobs), especially, looked really good on Saturday,” Pierschbacher said. “It’s fun to watch and be a part of that, too.”

NOTES

Sorry, O.J.: Just as O.J. Howard claimed after Saturday’s game, true freshman Mack Wilson took a touchdown pass away from him.

As the Tide was watching film and Wilson’s 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts was on the screen, Hurts went up to Wilson and said, “I was throwing that one to O.J., but good catch.”

Wilson immediately felt bad.

“He was just apologizing,” Howard said before Tuesday’s practice. “He really felt bad about it. I said, ‘That’s OK, at least somebody caught the ball.’ We were both looking like we thought each other was going to catch it. It was his first career touchdown. I can’t be mad at him for that.”

Tough grader: Jonathan Allen said he gives Alabama’s defense a B to this point.

“We’ve played good football. But Ole Miss, we gave up way too many points. We have given up too many explosive plays throughout every game we’ve played. So there is a lot of room for improvement,” the senior defensive lineman said.

Allen took the high road when his apparent interception return for a touchdown against Ole Miss instead was changed to a fumble return.

“No, I wasn’t too upset about that,” Allen said. “I still got the touchdown. It’s all good. That’s the important thing, helping the team win.”

Follow Ken Rogers on Twitter @debamabeat.