🏈 What it's like to compete in Alabama's running back room

[Max]

TAMPA, Fla. – Josh Jacobs came from a science and technology school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where, at 5-foot-10, he qualified as one of his team’s most imposing physical presences. When he stepped in Alabama’s running back room for the first time earlier this year, he could not help his shock.

“I was like (eyes bulging), ‘Man, you this big and you can move this fast?'” Jacobs said. “That is crazy.”

Jacobs, a four-star recruit in the 2016 class, is far from slight. He’s actually a prototypical running back in terms of size and speed. But at Alabama, where the freaks roam free, he could not have felt more foreign as a true freshman.

That’s the way many Alabama backs feel the first time they step into the arguably the most competitive position room in the country. Since Nick Saban took over at Alabama a decade ago, the Crimson Tide have had two Heisman-winning running backs (Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry) and six others selected in the NFL draft.

These pro talents appear in waves, too.

This year Alabama isn’t riding a feature back like Henry. Instead, a bevy of former highly-ranked recruits are leading the charge.

Redshirt sophomore running back Bo Scarbrough, a five-star back in the 2014 class, ripped off 180 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries last week against Washington. For the year, sophomore Damien Harris, a five-star in the 2015 class, leads Alabama with 1,016 yards rushing. Jacobs, a true freshman, has 548 yards rushing. B.J. Emmons, also a true freshman, totaled 173 yards before a foot injury ended his season.

Difference-makers come in all forms at Alabama, but they all have one thing in common – freakish skills.

“Bo is an animal,” said Emmons. “We Alabama. We breed them.”

Seemingly constructed in a lab, the Alabama running backs have their differences but share a few traits that the Tide staff equates to success.

First, Alabama running backs coach Burton Burns said he looks for size. Of Alabama’s five scholarship backs, each is at 204 pounds or heavier. Two of them (Ronnie Clark and Bo Scarbrough) are 6-foot-2.

Second, and this isn’t any different than everyone else, Alabama wants physical runners willing to take a beating. Third, and this is where Alabama separates itself, Alabama recruits speed along with size.

“We want big, fast guys if that’s possible,” Burns said with a laugh.

It’s been more than reasonable lately for Alabama. The Tide identify and land hulking physical specimens. With such a deep stable of options, it allows Alabama to play the hot hand.

Last week that was Scarbrough.

Entering the semifinal he’d run for just 539 yards on the year. Then he exploded for a 68-yard touchdown run and averaged 9.5 yards per carry. Other games it’s Harris or Jacobs. Either way, Burns’ luxury is rolling with whichever back is hottest at the time knowing each of them can handle the load.

“You’re going to take a lot of blows,” Burns said. “In the past those (big) guys can handle it a little better than small backs. It’s our prototype. You get into that flow and you keep going.”

Despite the success Alabama’s running backs usually find, it can be a brutal place for some highly-ranked recruits. Scarbrough, for example, was widely thought to be Henry’s heir apparent. Instead, he spent much of 2016 receiving fewer carries than Harris, one year his junior.

When it comes to a freshman like Jacobs or Emmons, the hurdles to clear can be even more imposing. Even with backs constantly cycling to the NFL, there is attrition. Four running backs have transferred from Alabama since the 2011 class. Patience, and plenty of it, is needed to ascend the Alabama depth chart.

Burns is demanding. Scarbrough said he’s “never” gotten a drill right under Burns. But he also likes to funnel players into other contributing roles such as special teams to keep his young players engaged. At Alabama it’s no shock to see a five-star skill player on kickoff coverage.

Self-confidence is needed, too. It’s what keeps a player like Emmons strumming with confidence after a year of competition.

“I’m here now, I’ve got to muscle up like them,” Emmons said. “I just wanted to win. I didn’t care about who was in front of me. … If you’re here you’re going to blow up.”

He’s right.

Kenyan Drake, for example, never rushed for more than 694 yards in a single season at Alabama. Yet the Miami Dolphins selected him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Being at Alabama creates professional opportunities, even if you play sparingly.

“When I didn’t know anything about Alabama, I knew they sent players to the league,” Emmons said. “You’ve got a chance to go to the league if you come to Alabama.”

It’s easy to get lost in the Alabama running back room, but the potential rewards are staggering. It’s why someone line Scarbrough, with just 823 career yards, is projected considered a high-round NFL Draft pick whenever he decides to leave for the NFL.

Alabama produces more NFL Draft picks at running back than any other program since Saban arrived, and it’s not really even close. That assembly line shows no sign of stopping either. The nation’s No. 1-ranked player, Najee Harris, is committed to the Tide. At 6-foot-2, 226 pounds, Harris is another in a long line of monsters posing as ball carriers.

But that’s how things get done at Alabama.

You might wait. You might not get as many carries as you want. And you might not be the feature back.

But you go to the league and win rings. Jacobs, no longer shocked by his teammates, is OK with that.

“I just looked at history,” Jacobs said. “The great running backs that came before and the great running backs we have now. If I take pieces from them and Coach Burns, I can be a great back myself.”

What it's like to compete in Alabama's running back room

 

[rick4bama]

Thanks, Great read!

 

[JoshB]

Great stuff and one thing Saban can point to to recruits when it comes to those transfers is how many of those transfers went else where and made noise? I can think of Dee Hart and to a much lesser extent Alvin Kamara. It's better to wait your turn and even if you dont have a big year, the Drake mention was perfect. Never was a starter at Bama yet still got drafted and is making some noise in the NFL.