Alabama Football: Projected post-spring 2019 depth chart
Running Back
- Najee Harris (JR)
- Brian Robinson Jr. (JR)
- Trey Sanders (FR)
- Jerome Ford (RS FR) OR Chardarius Townsend (RS SO)
Despite struggling during A-Day, Nick Saban had a lot of glowing remarks about the running backs throughout spring practice. Even with Josh Jacobs and Damien Harris off to the NFL, Alabama’s backfield is still loaded with talent.
The spotlight is on Najee Harris as he becomes the featured back for the first time in his career. Harris, the former five-star recruit, was second on the team in rushing as a sophomore, finishing with 783 yards. He led the team with 6.7 yards-per-carry.
An increased workload will be heading his way in 2019, and after rushing just 178 times in his two years in Tuscaloosa, his legs are plenty fresh.
Brian Robinson Jr. has patiently waited his turn behind the logjam of running backs for two years. Robinson didn’t redshirt, instead carving out roles on the team, doing whatever he could to get on the field. He was a major factor on special teams, and even played some fullback in goal-line and short yardage situations.
Robinson enjoyed a nice spring, and seems to have the edge for the No. 2 running back spot behind Harris. He’ll have to hold off Trey Sanders, though, the nation’s top-ranked running back in the 2019 cycle, who will be arriving this summer. Robinson has the leg up with Sanders missing spring practice, but Sanders is extremely talented and will be coming in looking to make good on his promise of winning the Heisman Trophy as a true freshman.
There could be a role on the team for a fourth running back, particularly one who is able to function as a receiving threat. Redshirt freshman Jerome Ford turned some heads, and he won’t let Sanders pass him on the depth chart without a fight. Chardarius Townsend spent the spring floating between running back and receiver with Alabama lacking a little bit of depth at running back with a pair of players not joining the team until the summer. That move could prove to be permanent, as Townsend looked like a natural at the position throughout spring.