To call the Alabama backfield “loaded” might be the understatement of the year. Their best three backs are all 5-star recruits and Bo Scarbrough might be the most fearsome of that trio. He’ll share the backfield with junior Damien Harris and true freshman Najee Harris. Despite being in a time share, Scarbrough is hands-down one of the best backs in college football.
If you put Scarbrough on any other roster in the country he’s be the starting running back. There are a few exceptions (there is at least one running back higher on the Top 50), but he’s proven himself to be everything you could want in a ball carrier. He’s physical, agile and has the propensity to make big plays out of small opportunities. Remember when he did this?
Scarbrough’s 6.5 yards per carry ranked eighth in the SEC in 2016. His touchdown total (11) was also eighth best. There were 22 running backs with more carries that him. The numbers are good, but the productivity that Scarbrough was able to bring on so few touches make him one of the most deadly offensive threats in college football. Opposing defenses can’t stop him. It takes more than one man to bring him down. When you have a running back like that on your team it opens up opportunities in the passing game and elevates the level of play for the entire offense.
Alabama is known for their defense. But Lane Kiffin made his mark in Tuscaloosa and the offense has improved dramatically. The Crimson Tide were a top 15 scoring offense last season, thanks in large part to Scarbrough’s presence in the field.