🏈 Graduate Transfer Running Back?

[JoshB]

Saban made an interesting comment at his press conference tonight about running backs that got me thinking...

--Saban says he's always looking for good players but he's happy with his running backs. He said he'll be on the lookout for a potential graduate transfer at the running back position.

I highly doubt Saban even mentions a potential graduate transfer if that is not something they are already looking into. My question is what potential transfers are there out there? Barry Sanders Jr. and the kid from Penn State are the only ones I've even heard of. The Penn State back transferred to Nevada and I think pretty much everyone is convinced Baby Sanders is headed to OK State. He was high on Bama in his recruiting back in high school (it was between Bama, Stanford, and OK State if I'm not mistaken) but I just dont see him turning his back on OK State again though him coming to Alabama for his senior season definitely makes for some interesting thoughts. Very much a Kenyan Drake style player. Any other options out there?

 

[Che Boludo]

Saban made an interesting comment at his press conference tonight about running backs that got me thinking...



I highly doubt Saban even mentions a potential graduate transfer if that is not something they are already looking into. My question is what potential transfers are there out there? Barry Sanders Jr. and the kid from Penn State are the only ones I've even heard of. The Penn State back transferred to Nevada and I think pretty much everyone is convinced Baby Sanders is headed to OK State. He was high on Bama in his recruiting back in high school (it was between Bama, Stanford, and OK State if I'm not mistaken) but I just dont see him turning his back on OK State again though him coming to Alabama for his senior season definitely makes for some interesting thoughts. Very much a Kenyan Drake style player. Any other options out there?

Derrick Green, RB, UM will be looking for a home, too.

 

[Rolltide24]

It's a good point. We are probably as thin at RB oas ever at this point. And we signed 2 today with 1 potentially not making it. We've seen how quickly our RB depth can drop too...

 

[UAgrad93]

I think Saban also said something along the lines of we are always looking for good players that may be a good fit. I think there was also something said about the WR position. I think this hints to what was reported as Demetris Robertson calling Saban and staff and wanting to come for an official.

 

[rick4bama]

If Saban said he is looking for a running back than I bet your bottom dollar he has one in mind right now.

 

[BamaMD]

It's a good point. We are probably as thin at RB oas ever at this point. And we signed 2 today with 1 potentially not making it. We've seen how quickly our RB depth can drop too...

Very true, but I hope we stay away from anymore RBs this year and put a full press on Robertson. I would hate to lose anyone of the 3 SUPERSTARS we have lined up for next year. Najee Harris (distance) and Cam Akers (Mississippi kid) are going to be very difficult to hold on too.

 

[JoshB]

Very true, but I hope we stay away from anymore RBs this year and put a full press on Robertson. I would hate to lose anyone of the 3 SUPERSTARS we have lined up for next year. Najee Harris (distance) and Cam Akers (Mississippi kid) are going to be very difficult to hold on too.

What would signing a graduate transfer that has one year of eligibility have to do with a freshman in next years class?

 

[XXL TideFan]

What would signing a graduate transfer that has one year of eligibility have to do with a freshman in next years class?

Gotta worry 'bout sumpin'.

 

[BamaMD]

What would signing a graduate transfer that has one year of eligibility have to do with a freshman in next years class?

It provides more ammunition for negative recruiting. While we may see it as a place and play type venture, it can easily be used to say Saban is going to replace you with a transfer and put you on the bench. So, why got to BAMA when you can come here and start and get the lion's share of reps. Your a 4 or 5 star player, why chance riding the bench, when you are our guy, our number choice. Now, I understand these scenarios play out all the time, keeping Harris, Akers and Robinson together is one heck of a class at RB.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

It provides more ammunition for negative recruiting. While we may see it as a place and play type venture, it can easily be used to say Saban is going to replace you with a transfer and put you on the bench. So, why got to BAMA when you can come here and start and get the lion's share of reps. Your a 4 or 5 star player, why chance riding the bench, when you are our guy, our number choice. Now, I understand these scenarios play out all the time, keeping Harris, Akers and Robinson together is one heck of a class at RB.

You serious Clark? Besides there is no way Bama will sign all three of those guys.

 

[94 Grad]

It provides more ammunition for negative recruiting. While we may see it as a place and play type venture, it can easily be used to say Saban is going to replace you with a transfer and put you on the bench. So, why got to BAMA when you can come here and start and get the lion's share of reps. Your a 4 or 5 star player, why chance riding the bench, when you are our guy, our number choice. Now, I understand these scenarios play out all the time, keeping Harris, Akers and Robinson together is one heck of a class at RB.

No offense, but anyone with a mindset that would be swayed by that argument, most likely doesn't need to be at Bama anyway... Regardless of talent. Reason being, every recruiting class we get is going to have monster talent in it... if you're worried about having to compete, you are not the right fit at this time for Bama.

 

[BamaMD]

No offense, but anyone with a mindset that would be swayed by that argument, most likely doesn't need to be at Bama anyway... Regardless of talent. Reason being, every recruiting class we get is going to have monster talent in it... if you're worried about having to compete, you are not the right fit at this time for Bama.

None taken and I agree, but we both know it happens in the world of recruiting. The beautiful thing about BAMA is its been the atmosphere of competition that has made us that much better! ROLL TIDE!

 

[JoshB]

It provides more ammunition for negative recruiting. While we may see it as a place and play type venture, it can easily be used to say Saban is going to replace you with a transfer and put you on the bench. So, why got to BAMA when you can come here and start and get the lion's share of reps. Your a 4 or 5 star player, why chance riding the bench, when you are our guy, our number choice. Now, I understand these scenarios play out all the time, keeping Harris, Akers and Robinson together is one heck of a class at RB.

Yeah and coaches already say "you are going to be on the bench because of all the other 5 stars they get every year," what is the difference? Thats what makes Saban so great, he doesnt give a shit what the other coaches say he still gets the majority of the big recruits he goes after and he is going to go after a graduate transfer if he thinks it is going to help the current team, period.

 

[TerryP]

On one hand we have a grad transfer in Coker and it hasn't affected the quarterback recruiting.

Then, on the other hand, we had Mullaney and in that we also see Black to Mizzou and it can be argued there were misses on the recruiting trail at the receiver position.

 

[BamaMD]

Great Discussion!!!

 

[Che Boludo]

Then, on the other hand, we had Mullaney and in that we also see Black to Mizzou and it can be argued there were misses on the recruiting trail at the receiver position.

While those could be argued, I think it was more a combo of depth and remaining eligibility that may have been the factor than Mullaney.

I think Stewart and Ridley being on campus for a couple more years established as starters with a top talent in Foster expected back doesn't bode well for the emergence of a another phenom, outside of injury creating the opportunity, over the next 1 to 2 seasons.

I think Black's transfer, however, was more likely to have had an effect. From the outside looking in, if a player with his talent/skillset (ignoring injuries) couldn't find playing time and felt the need to transfer, there were probably some top HS guys with there own doubts given the depth/competition.

In other examples, JUCO OL and DL certainly haven't hurt recruiting those positions from HSs best in the CNS era. I'm not convinced that a grad transfer one and done type guy would have any direct effect on recruits.

Grad transfers do affect upperclassmen's decisions to continue competing in the program or transfer (like Black) if they they see the writing on the wall. But, I think 4 and 5 stars in HS have a hard time seeing themselves in that position 3 or 4 years in the future, so the effect likely wouldn't resonate.

 

[bradenob]

Did Black graduate? Because if he didn't, then Saban LET him go to Mizzou - although I think he DID graduate. Even so, that shows that he was prolly not all that great a commodity - he certainly picked Mizzou for playing time, not success, or good weather, or good football atmosphere. Let's face it, some recruited stars just don't work out - we've seen five stars who NEVER contributed. Black wasn't getting it done, and Saban, ever the talent evaluater, found Mullaney, who did a good job for us this year. Black knew he'd need to step up, and another guy took his job. It HAPPENS!

For the guys we recruit, there WILL be some highly touted ones who are intimidated, who aren't ready to 'go for it' and who would rather go someplace second tier. For the majority, such as the Yeldons, the Ridleys, the Fitzpatricks, they are thrilled with the chance to win the job simply by competing, and Saban has rewarded that time and again. THESE are the guys we want, anyway.

If I'm Najee Harris for example, I'm not looking at Saban getting a grad transfer, and thinking how he hosed Damien Harris OR BJ Emmonds, for instance. I am thinking Saban didn't think he had enough help, and so here I am to step in and provide that help. So I'm EXCITED about my opportunity and my odds of contributing.

The story of Christian Bell needs to be more publicized as well. He's one of SEVERAL recent (over the last 6 years) grayshirts that have benefited greatly from coming to 'Bama, getting bigger, stronger, getting acclimated, and then contributing (I believe he will do well!). Yeah, we're loaded, but everyone doesn't have to come in and start on the OL their first year. I mean, maybe you could do that at Kentucky, as a four star, but is that where you want to go? That's what the recruits have to decide.

 

[UAgrad93]

The idea of a grad transfer at the RB position shouldn't make any of the ones on campus or those that recently signed feel slighted AT ALL. All the staff has to do is point to this past season when HTWDH carried the ball almost 400 times. He had to as Drake struggled getting into form and then dealing with injuries. I think Coach Burns and Saban both didn't want to possibly overwhelm Harris and thus stunt his development. We all know that everyone doesn't develop as quickly as others in blitz pickup like HTWMI or TR. Henry struggled as a freshman if you recall. A possible transfer allows Harris, Scarborough, Emmons, Jacobs, Clark, etc. the opportunity to continue to develop.

 

[rick4bama]

Great Discussion!!!

:agree: and :bman:

 

[EasyTider]

I think some of you are forgetting about Robert Foster at the receiver position. He appeared to be emerging as 'the guy' before his injury. Assuming he returns 100% along with Ridley, Stewart (and OJ if the NC game wasn't a fluke), whoever wins the job at QB will likely/arguably have the best group of receivers to throw to in the history of Bama football.