3. Alabama will grow in the running game
Last year, Alabama’s running game averaged almost 200 yards a game. This was mostly through the veteran leader Damien Harris and the surprise hero Josh Jacobs. Everyone knew that Harris would be really good, and he was. Harris had 876 rushing yards on 5.8 yards a carry. He was also great at reaching the end zone, scoring nine touchdowns on the ground.
When Harris was on the sideline, Josh Jacobs starred on the field. He only ran for 640 yards, but he somehow got 11 touchdowns rushing and three receiving. Jacobs just finished plays whenever he got the chance.
The bad news for the Tide is that both of these players are now in the NFL. The good news for the Tide is that they have reloaded the position. The starting running back this year will be Najee Harris, a stud back that actually averaged the most yards per carry out of all eligible backs for the Tide last year. He has strength in his lower body paired with elusiveness in his moves. He’s not as good as Saquon Barkley, but he has the ability to juke and hurdle like him.
Past Harris, there will be Brian Robinson Jr. He has waited his turn to be a rotational piece in the backfield, and he should explode on the scene this year much like how Jacobs did last season. Robinson doesn’t have amazing stats, but most of his carries last year were at the end of games where every person in the stadium knew he was about to get the ball.
There will also be some other pieces that might get some time with the Tide. Trey Sanders isn’t on campus just yet, but he is expected to work into the rotation as a freshman. I know that it will be hard to replace both Damien Harris and Jacobs in the same year, but I believe that the pieces returning will grow throughout the season and become the next stars at the position.