Alabama Football: 3 Breakout Candidates for 2022
By Kathryn Rose
![Alabama running back Trey Sanders (6) follows a block by Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden (11) as he runs the ball against Cincinnati during the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Alabama defeated Cincinnati 27-6 to advance to the national championship game. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]College Football Playoffs Alabama Vs Cincinnati](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F7fde1331f5a82a0299f861cfc9eca70220546cacc9d3d541b849c23d6b102c24.jpg "Alabama running back Trey Sanders (6) follows a block by Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden (11) as he runs the ball against Cincinnati during the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Alabama defeated Cincinnati 27-6 to advance to the national championship game. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]College Football Playoffs Alabama Vs Cincinnati")
Trey Sanders – Running Back
Trey Sanders has gotten a raw deal in his time in Tuscaloosa. 2019’s top rated running back recruit has been taken out by injuries in the first two years of his Alabama career; in 2019 it was a Listfranc injury, and in 2020, it was a car crash that put him in a wheelchair for two months.
He finally saw the field in 2021, but was reduced to a backup role, with Brian Robinson being Bama’s bellcow back.
Sanders is going to battle Georgia Tech transfer Jahmyr Gibbs for the top running back job. Gibbs is an exceptional all-purpose back, going for 1,211 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns during his 2021 season with Tech. Yet, Gibbs is a little smaller than his counterpart, and Sanders has the advantage of being in the offense for three years. Sanders is also a better fit for Alabama’s scheme as well.
The only thing that will derail Trey Sanders will be injuries. He’s a very talented back though, and Alabama will need him to succeed if they’re to go back to the mountaintop.