Eddie Lacy Looks Back at His 4 Years in Tuscaloosa (AUDIO)

Eddie Lacy was four star recruit from Dutchtown High School in Louisiana but arrived at the Capstone without much fanfare. A player that would be a centerpiece of most recruiting classes flew under the radar as a player considered to be the best running back in the country in 2009, Trent Richardson headlined Nick Saban's signing class.

However, the same patience Eddie Lacy showed as a runner in high school is the same patience he showed upon arriving in Tuscaloosa, buried on the depth chart as a true freshman by the aforementioned Richardson, and the Heisman Trophy winner of 2009, Mark Ingram.

After redshirting his first year, Lacy, in limited carries turned heads as his trademark circle spin move was put on display. While he showed flashes of brilliance his first year on the field, he was still the third running back in line behind Ingram and Richardson. Alabama failed to live up to its expectations in 2010, but Lacy showed the nation a flash of what was to come against Michigan State in the season's final game.

Lacy would carry the ball just 5 times, but was the game's leading rusher with 86 yards and two touchdowns. One of those touchdowns game on a 62-yard burst up the middle of the field as Lacy staked his claim as the next great Alabama running back.

But in 2011, Lacy would again need to stay patient.

Richardson was a junior and finally took the top spot on the depth chart after Mark Ingram was selected 28th by the New Orleans Saints the previous spring. Lacy, again with limited carries made the most of his opportunities, complementing Richardson with a blend of power and finesse on his way to nearly 700 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns.

In 2012, the patience had finally paid off. Now, with his turn as the team's number one back Lacy had the opportunity to show the world what he could do with the weight on his shoulders. The season started slow as Lacy battled injuries, but like all great running backs he only got stronger as the season progressed, averaging over 7 yards a carry in 5 of his last six games donning the Crimson and White.

As the pressure turned up and the lights got brighter, Lacy erupted as his health had stabilized and tore through the Georgia Bulldogs defense in the SEC Championship Game then spun his way around the heralded Notre Dame defense for the national championship.

On Tuesday Lacy recalled his time in Tuscaloosa: the waiting, the big games, and what it was like to play for Nick Saban. You can hear that interview from The Game in its entirety below.