July 17, 2015
Laura Owens
Special to TideSports.com
HOOVER | Kenyan Drake's 2014 season was highlighted by two things: his 87-yard touchdown reception against Florida, and his screams on Ole Miss' field after he broke his leg.
Nine months later, he confirmed at the 2015 SEC Media Days that he's definitely back to 100 percent and is ready to be the player the team needs him to be this upcoming season.
Running back Kenyan Drake had just 22 carries and five receptions last year, but scored six touchdowns on those touches.
"Especially in the situation where I've gotten hurt, I feel like there was nothing for me to do but grow physically and mentally," Drake said. "With that being said, especially coming back from an injury and going back to when I first got here on campus, there's growth I see personally."
Center Ryan Kelly also attested to the work that Drake has put in to come back from this injury.
"If you were at that Ole Miss game and you saw that injury and you see him running sprints and cutting and all this stuff in the springtime, it was amazing," Kelly said, "but I think it kind of shows you the kind of man that Kenyan is and the kind of guy he's (become)."
Though listed as a running back, Drake actually had more receiving yards in the five games he was able to play last year, totaling 159 yards on five receptions. He also had 112 yards on 22 carries and had six total touchdowns.
"I feel like I'm a very versatile player, so putting me in the best position - whether it's running back or receiver, kick return, punt return - put me in the position to help the field and help the team in any way possible," he said.
Head coach Nick Saban also praised Drake's versatility, and said this year in particular would be a good one to utilize everything he has to offer.
"We need playmaker types like him, especially this year when we've lost so many players who were playmakers for us," Saban said. "He was an outstanding playmaker last year."
One game on the 2015 schedule that stands out to Drake in particular for two reasons is against Georgia in Athens Oct. 3.
"It's definitely going to be really cool because, honestly, I grew up a Georgia fan," he said. "I'm from Georgia, and to play back at Sanford Stadium, and honestly, almost to the day of the year anniversary of me being injured too, it will definitely be really cool to go there and play against the Dawgs between the hedges."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1783701#sthash.6SKaW72J.dpuf
Laura Owens
Special to TideSports.com
HOOVER | Kenyan Drake's 2014 season was highlighted by two things: his 87-yard touchdown reception against Florida, and his screams on Ole Miss' field after he broke his leg.
Nine months later, he confirmed at the 2015 SEC Media Days that he's definitely back to 100 percent and is ready to be the player the team needs him to be this upcoming season.
Running back Kenyan Drake had just 22 carries and five receptions last year, but scored six touchdowns on those touches.
"Especially in the situation where I've gotten hurt, I feel like there was nothing for me to do but grow physically and mentally," Drake said. "With that being said, especially coming back from an injury and going back to when I first got here on campus, there's growth I see personally."
Center Ryan Kelly also attested to the work that Drake has put in to come back from this injury.
"If you were at that Ole Miss game and you saw that injury and you see him running sprints and cutting and all this stuff in the springtime, it was amazing," Kelly said, "but I think it kind of shows you the kind of man that Kenyan is and the kind of guy he's (become)."
Though listed as a running back, Drake actually had more receiving yards in the five games he was able to play last year, totaling 159 yards on five receptions. He also had 112 yards on 22 carries and had six total touchdowns.
"I feel like I'm a very versatile player, so putting me in the best position - whether it's running back or receiver, kick return, punt return - put me in the position to help the field and help the team in any way possible," he said.
Head coach Nick Saban also praised Drake's versatility, and said this year in particular would be a good one to utilize everything he has to offer.
"We need playmaker types like him, especially this year when we've lost so many players who were playmakers for us," Saban said. "He was an outstanding playmaker last year."
One game on the 2015 schedule that stands out to Drake in particular for two reasons is against Georgia in Athens Oct. 3.
"It's definitely going to be really cool because, honestly, I grew up a Georgia fan," he said. "I'm from Georgia, and to play back at Sanford Stadium, and honestly, almost to the day of the year anniversary of me being injured too, it will definitely be really cool to go there and play against the Dawgs between the hedges."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1783701#sthash.6SKaW72J.dpuf
