Alabama Football Spring Preview: Running Backs

Nick Saban shocked plenty in the college football world.  No, not with another top ranked, recruiting class-that has become the norm for the Crimson Tide.  Rather, Saban attracted plenty of attention with his signing of four running backs in the 2013 signing class.

The Crimson Tide looked to be in good shape with rising sophomores TJ Yeldon and Kenyan Drake, who both turned heads in 2012. Yeldon, quickly worked his way up the second spot on the depth chart, rushing for one thousand yards in his inaugural season, while Drake rushed for nearly 7 yards a carry and 5 touchdowns in limited duty.

Beyond the dynamic sophomore duo, however, are plenty of questions which may be the reason behind Saban inking four running backs, all ranked in the top 100 in the country.  While four were signed, only one is already on campus.

Derrick Henry is the greatest high school running back of all time with the statistics to back it up. The towering 6-foot-3, 240lbs tailback rushed for 4,261 yards and 55 touchdowns in his senior season of high school, finishing his career with over 12,000 yards rushing.  Watching Henry join his fellow running backs walk down the Walk of Champions during the national championship celebration-lets just say he passes the eye test.

However, as good as Henry is, he will not be alone. He’ll be joined this fall by Atlee Tenpenny, Tyren Jones, and Alvin Kamara-all of whom we will break down when they arrive for fall camp.

While some feel the Alabama backfield will be a crowded one, perhaps Saban’s signing of four backs was a move to provide the depth he desires.  After all, it was just last year the running back position went from a strength with plenty of depth, to a position that left many holding their breath with every carry after the injuries to Dee Hart and Jalston Fowler.

Fowler, when healthy was a player that Notre Dame and NFL play-by-play man Don Criqui said was the best fullback in football.  Watching Alabama in the I-Formation against Michigan,Alabama looked unstoppable leaving many to wonder what the play calling would have been late in the game against Texas A&M. If he can return to form, he gives the Alabama running game the luxury of having a true fullback, who can also take a load of the running backs by running the rock himself. Fowler is one of those players to keep an eye on this spring to see where he is in terms of his recovery.

The speed dynamic is one that was missed last season, and when healthy Hart is the type of player who you put the ball in his hands in space and let him do the rest.  However Hart has had two knee injuries in his young career, which means it will be important to see how he has recovered and how comfortable he looks.