The wait is almost over. Alabama is set to kick off its fall camp as players report back to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Thursday before holding their first practice on Friday, Aug. 3. Before Alabama hits the practice field BamaInsider.com will take a look at each of the position groups. We continue our series today by examining the running back position.
Where things stand now
College football’s newest version of the “Four Horsemen” now resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. While it might be too early to bestow biblical praise on Alabama’s backfield, the Crimson Tide’s four-pronged attack figures to spell doom for its opponents this season.
Alabama returns a two-time 1,000-yard rusher in Damien Harris as well as a pair of highly-touted sophomores in Najee Harris and Brian Robinson. Pair all that with change-of-pace junior Josh Jacobs, and the Crimson Tide have a stable of running backs that would make even the most famous of backfields blush.
The biggest challenge Alabama will face is finding a way to feed all four players the ball. The Crimson Tide made it work last season with five backs as Damien Harris and Scarbrough received the bulk of the carries while Jacobs, Najee Harris and Robinson all chipped in. With Scarbrough gone, Najee Harris and Robinson should see a significant uptick in the combined 70 carries they totaled during their freshman years.
“We’ve all shared roles since I’ve been here, every group that I’ve been a part of has seen significant playing time,” Damien Harris said this spring. “So, I think that that’s why it’s important for everybody to be able to play in situations, whenever your number’s called you’re able to go in there and execute and play to the standard of what Coach Saban has said.”
What we expect
The success of Alabama’s backfield begins with Damien Harris, both on and off the field. The two-year starter returns for his senior season looking to become the first Alabama running back to rush for 1,000 or more yards in three straight seasons. He’ll also serve as one of the cornerstones in the Crimson Tide’s locker room as evidenced by his statements during SEC Media Days last week.
“Being a veteran on this team is something I take a great amount of pride in,” Damien Harris said. “How am I going to positively affect my teammates? How am I going to set the standard for the young guys and guys who need direction? How am I going to be the best possible leader I can be? I think that’s going to be the next step for me as a player and how I can continue to improve my game.”
Damien Harris should take the first handoff when Alabama opens up against Louisville on Sept. 1. However, the Crimson Tide will need him to maintain his unselfish approach when it comes to carries. Last season Damien Harris ranked No. 12 in the nation with 7.41 yards per attempt but finished with just 1,000 yards due to receiving only 135 touches. He’ll likely have a similar workload this season.
Things get more interesting further down the depth chart. If Alabama wants to find a like-for-like replacement to Scarbrough, both Najee Harris and Robinson fit the bill. Najee Harris stands in at 6-2, 230 pounds, while Robinson is a hair lighter at 6-1, 221 pounds. Both offer a rare combination of speed and size and will provide power to the rotation.
Jacobs, 5-10, 216 pounds, brings a different element to the group, especially in the receiving game. Last season he led all Alabama backs with 14 receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns, coming in on third downs as well as in two-back formations.
Najee Harris heads into camp as the favorite to land the No. 2 role after a stellar performance during the national championship where he led the team with 64 yards on just six carries. Jacobs should play in a similar role to last year and will provide Alabama with plenty of options in the passing game. Robinson figures to play in a bigger role while providing depth. Outside of those four, Alabama returns redshirt senior Ronnie Clark and brings in true freshman Jerome Ford. Both should receive carries during blowout games.
Potential surprise
Despite a quiet freshman season, Robinson has drawn plenty of praise from Alabama’s coaching staff and could be on the verge of a breakout year. The Tuscaloosa native displayed his versatility during A-Day, leading the second-team offense with 30 rushing yards and a touchdown while also pulling in a game-high six receptions for 59 yards.
“I think he plays a lot like Bo [Scarbrough] did,” Damien Harris said during SEC Media Days. “He’s very strong, very powerful but very agile at the same time. He can do a lot of things. He can catch out of the backfield. He can block in pass protect. He can run in between the tackles. There are so many things he can do. He’s so versatile, that’s something that’s so exciting about him.”
Robinson hasn’t received the same hype as Najee Harris, who came to Alabama as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2017 class. However, the two possess similar talents and should battle for carries this fall.
