A freshman running back playing a prominent role in the offense is not a foreign concept during Nick Saban’s tenure. Mark Ingram had a meaningful role in 2008, Trent Richardson did as well in 2009 and T.J. Yeldon followed suit in 2012.
So it’s not out of the question that one of the true freshman running backs in this year’s class, B.J. Emmons and Joshua Jacobs, could have a similar role this season for a unit that is lacking the kind of overall experience that’s been seen in Tuscaloosa for much of the past decade.
Emmons, widely considered the overall top running back in the class of 2016, is a likely candidate. At 6-foot, 206 pounds, the North Carolina native has a style of running that is not adverse to contact.
“Alabama is known for having tough, physical runners,” Emmon’s high school coach Brandon Allen said. “B.J. is certainly that. He’s going to give them that presence in the backfield. He’s going to run it between the tackles, but at the same time he’s got the ability to get on the perimeter.”
The Crimson Tide returns just 64 career carries in its backfield duo of Damien Harris (46 rushes in 2015) and Bo Scarbrough, and none of those came when a game hung in the balance. That’s why it might be important for either Emmons or Jacobs to get up to speed as soon as possible.
Emmons certainly looks the part and during the open practice Sunday during Fan Day, he made a few nice catches, too.
“The best part of Alabama is they’re getting a dynamic football player,” Allen said. “B.J. is going to be able to help in many ways. He runs great routes. He’s got phenomenal hands.”
There will be a period of adjustment for all the freshmen, Emmons included. But his high school coach said Emmons has a bright football mind.
“I think the biggest adjustment will be just the speed of the game and the talent he’s going to be going up against,” Allen said. “It’s certainly a far cry from high school, stepping into a place like Alabama.
“He’s an extremely intelligent, football-savy mind. I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. He is extremely talented physically. I don’t think it’s going to be a huge learning curve for him. It would not shock me at all for him to get substantial playing time this year.”
Saban has said running back is a position that lends itself to younger players seeing the field early in their career. But just because it’s happened in the past doesn’t guarantee it will happen again. Emmons and Jacobs will need to show they’re ready before they’re given a role in this year’s offense.
"Well, we've had some guys here that have not had experience that have played as freshman that have been very, very productive, whether it was Mark when he was a freshman, Trent when he was a freshman, Eddie (Lacy) when he was a freshman, Yeldon when he was a freshman,” Saban said. “They all played when they were freshmen extremely well.
“Experience and knowledge helps at every position, but I think these guys have made nice progress and I think they're very capable. We'll just have to see how it goes when you get the opportunity in a competitive situation and how much that experience is going to pay off for them where they'll be able to overcome their lack of experience and play with confidence and be very productive."
Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.
