Why Alabama's loaded backfield is a "good problem to have"
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It’s an embarrassment of riches and one that Alabama head coach Nick Saban doesn’t take for granted. When questioned about the Crimson Tide’s depth at running back this spring, the head coach was quick to point out this year’s team returns far more firepower than the one that rushed for a combined 3,675 yards last year.
Alabama entered last season without an experienced starter at running back. This year, the Tide not only returns its top four backs but will also add two highly rated early enrollees into the mix.
“We do have a lot of good running backs,” Saban said Tuesday following Alabama’s fourth practice of spring camp. “We went from not having very many to having a whole bunch. I think they've all done really, really well.”
Damien Harris, who rushed for a team-high 1,037 yards last season, will join Bo Scarbrough and Josh Jacobs as the Tide’s three returning starters. Alabama will also benefit from the reemergence of B.J. Emmons, the No. 1 running back in the 2016 class, who suffered a season-ending foot injury in early November.
If that’s not frightening enough, Alabama added five-star running back Najee Harris, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit, as well as four-star running back Brian Robinson. Four-star athlete Chadarius Townsend has also worked at both running back and receiver and appears to be suited to take a role similar to former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake, who featured heavily in the Tide’s passing game.
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“Chadarius Townsend we’ve worked a little bit at slot receiver the last two practices,” Saban said. “Najee has done a nice job, Brian Robinson has done a nice job... We have a lot of other young guys. Josh Jacobs has done a good job and could certainly use the experience. I think (the depth) is a good problem to have.”
Despite the impressive depth, you’ll forgive Saban if he’s a bit hesitant to beat his chest at the position just yet.
Scarbrough, who broke his leg during the national championship, and Emmons have both worn black, no-contact jerseys during the first four practices. Tuesday, Saban revealed Damien Harris picked up a small injury over the weekend.
“Damien Harris sprained his foot Saturday indoors,” Saban said. “He didn’t work today, but he’ll probably be back Thursday.
“Bo’s doing more and more every day,” Saban said. “He did quite a bit today at practice, non-contact stuff, but he’s sort of gaining confidence. And our goal for Bo is that at the end of spring he’s fully confident that he can do everything that he needs to do. Whether he scrimmages or not is really not something that we’re that concerned about.”
Alabama’s injured backs are all expected to be healthy for the Tide’s season opener against Florida State on Sept. 2. Until then, the only problem Saban and his staff have to worry about at the position is how to find a way to spread the ball around — a much-preferred dilemma than the one he faced a year ago.