Spark plug Josh Jacobs provides anything Alabama needs
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Before coming onto the field Josh Jacobs makes an important assessment.
The sophomore running back, known by his teammates as Alabama’s spark plug on offense, can do just about anything with the ball in his hands. If you need him to run over a defender for 3 yards, he can. Need a player to bounce to the outside and bust a big run on the edge, he’s your guy. The 5-foot-10, 212-pound Swiss army knife can even line up at slot receiver.
Pretty much whatever Alabama needs, Jacobs provides.
“I just try to bring my game to the field,” Jacobs said. “Basically, I look to see what we need, if it’s physicality or making people miss in open spaces.”
During Saturday’s 56-0 win over Mercer Jacobs did all of the above. The sophomore finished with six carries for 41 yards, an average of 6.8 per attempt. He also pulled in two receptions for 45 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown off a pop pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts,
Jacobs entered the game during Alabama’s second possession and, like he has so many times this season, immediately made an impact. He carried the ball for 11 yards on the first play of the drive before catching a backward pass for another 13 yards the next play.
After freshman running back Najee Harris was stuffed for no gain, Jacobs flashed his receiving skills, slipping past defenders to reel in a wide-open 38-yard pass from Hurts down to the Mercer 3-yard line.
“When I caught it I was like, ‘whoah.’ I didn’t expect to be that wide open,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs might have been surprised, but his teammates sure weren’t. That kind of instant impact has become expected from the sophomore back. During last week’s 31-24 win over Mississippi State, it was Jacobs who provided the jolt of energy the Crimson Tide needed to spur on the comeback. In that game, Jacobs rushed for 31 of 36 yards in the fourth quarter.
“Every time he comes in he’s that spark plug,” Alabama receiver Cam Sims said. “When he comes in just know he’s going to make something happen.”
Entering the game, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said he planned on finding new ways to get the ball in Jacobs’ hands moving forward. While most saw the statements as an opportunity for the sophomore to breakout, he took it a step further, viewing his new role as an added responsibility.
“I took it more as a challenge,” Jacobs said. “To not let him down and just to go out and execute every play.”
On top of his offensive duties, Jacobs was also one of the two returners on kickoff return. Following the game, Saban said the reasoning behind the move was in part due to the fact that usual returner Henry Ruggs III had picked a few knocks against Mississippi State. Whether or not he takes on more moving forward, Jacobs said he’s open to anything coaches ask of him.
“A lot of people look at what you can do besides run and protect,” Jacobs said. “That’s just adding to my resume.”
Right now, that resume continues to grow and so does Jacobs’ impact on the team.
“Josh is doing a great job,” Saban said. “He’s an easy guy to create roles for because of his diversity as a player. Today he had some real positive runs. We’re excited about him being healthy and him being able to be a contributor. It’s going to be important for us down the road that we can get all those guys cranked up.”