Alabama spring grade out: Running back
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Alabama finished its spring camp last month revealing an early preview of what to expect in the coming season. We will break down each position, sharing what we saw and expect for this year. Today we continue our spring evaluations with the running back position.
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Biggest thing we learned: Alabama has an insane amount of depth
Despite missing two of its starters for much of the spring, Alabama can head into the summer confident with what it has at the running back position.
Still recovering from a broken leg suffered in the national championship, starter Bo Scarbrough spent the entirety of Alabama’s spring camp in a black, non-contact jersey. Fellow starter Damien Harris, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, sprained his foot early in the spring and was more or less a non-factor for much of camp. The Tide was also without B.J. Emmons, the No. 1 back in the 2016 class, who was still recovering from a broken foot he suffered midway through last season.
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Instead of hampering the Crimson Tide, the injuries allowed some of the Tide’s younger backs to shine. Rising sophomore Josh Jacobs, as well as early enrollees Najee Harris and Brian Robinson, took advantage of the opportunity, putting together a solid spring while highlighting Alabama’s depth at the position.
Jacobs, a returning starter, earned the starting spot on the first-team offense during A-Day. The rising sophomore also turned heads during Alabama’s spring workouts. The 5-foot- 10, 209-pound back posted a 4.50 time in the 40-yard dash, bench pressed 405 pounds and squatted 500 pounds, according to Al.com. During A-Day Jacobs ran for 28 yards on seven carries.
The biggest buzz was centered around Harris, who came to Alabama as the No. 1 recruit in this year’s class. Harris put on a show, often hurdling over players during scrimmages. The 6-foot-2, 227-pound back was Alabama’s leading rusher during A-Day, gaining 70 yards on 17 carries. Robinson, 6-foot-1, 218 pounds, also generated rave reviews during camp.
“Big backs that know how to run, that know how to move,” Alabama receiver Cam Sims said of the freshman duo. “It’s something I’ve never seen before. It’s like Derrick Henry.”
Biggest spring concern: Can Scarbrough stay healthy for a full year?
Speaking of backs who resemble Henry, Alabama finally caught a glimpse of Scarbrough’s Heisman potential last season. The 6-foot-2, 232-pound back rushed for 90 or more yards in each of the Tide’s final four games last season, including an 180-yard performance against Washington in the Peach Bowl.
That breakout run was brought to an abrupt halt during the national championship game when Scarbrough broke a bone in his right leg late in the third quarter. Scarbrough’s absence was felt as Alabama’s offense stuttered following his departure, eventually falling 35-31 to Clemson. While devastating, the injury was nothing new for Scarbrough, who has sidelined several times in his career dating back all the way to high school.
After suffering season-ending ACL and ankle injuries in high school, Scarbrough tore his ACL during the spring of 2015. Now there is a question as to whether the former five-star back can make it through a full season unscathed.
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Despite spending the spring in a black jersey, Scarbrough took part in almost all the individual drills with the rest of the running backs during practice. Ultimately he could have participated in contact drills had Alabama not opted to play it safe to avoid the risk of a needless injury.
“He’s done everything in practice,” Saban said before A-Day. “The goal for Bo is that he comes out of spring practice and he thinks he’s 100-percent and he can do everything and he has no problems. He took almost every rep in practice today, but do we want him to play in A-Day? No. Because we haven’t banged him around a lot. There’s no sense in doing that.”
If Scarbrough can come back in the same form he demonstrated late last season, he should develop into Alabama’s No. 1 option out of the backfield. If he can’t, he’ll probably end up being past by other talented backs on the Tide’s roster.
Biggest spring surprise: Brian Robinson shouldn't be underestimated
The 4.41 time Robinson recorded in the 40-yard dash during spring workouts should have been a big clue. However, even after the freshman’s stellar showing early in the preseason, he still entered the spring without much hype.
That soon changed as the Tuscaloosa, Ala., prospect quickly drew praise following the first scrimmage. Rated as the No. 7 running back and No. 82 overall player in this year’s class, Robinson came to the Tide from Hillcrest High School, a mere seven miles away from Bryant-Denny Stadium. While he might have come to Alabama somewhat overshadowed, those who followed his high school career are not surprised by his early success.
“As a young guy, he was full of energy and fun to be around, loved playing football,” said Alabama linebacker Keith Holcombe, a fellow Hillcrest alum. “That’s exactly what he’s brought here.”
Looking ahead: Alabama has 6 backs who could compete for playing time
The only real problem Alabama will have in the backfield will be figuring out how to get each of its backs enough carries. All six running backs are expected to be available for the Tide’s season opener against Florida State on Sept. 2. Based on last year, Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough figure to be the first two backs on Alabama’s “rep chart.”
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Alabama will most likely cycle through four running backs next year, meaning that Jacobs, Emmons, Robinson and Najee Harris should compete for the two final slots in the rotation. To put that in perspective, that group includes a two former No. 1 running backs, a returning starter and a former four-star recruit.
While spreading the playing time might be a challenge for newly hired offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, it’s one any coach would gladly accept.
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