This year the Tide secured 3 top 10 running backs (Kamara, Tenpenny, and Jones) in their recruiting class. I guess what I don't understand is, what is the appeal to these kids to go to a school with two running backs of equal (maybe slightly lesser) talent, and sit behind a roster of running backs such as T.J. Yeldon (SO), Kenyan Drake (SO), Dee Hart (who was a RS), and Trey Roberts (SO). I mean, for intents and purposes, Saban is going to give these returning guys a look before three freshman, and if any of these guys catch on ala' Trent Richardson, there is no way those three freshman are going to see time in the next year, probably two if whomever in that group of returning players becomes a star and stays all 4 years.
On top of that, you're going to a school that has over signed, and has more than enough talent in the back field. Just seems like these guys are taking a huge risk with their futures, so I was curious if anyone thought they had any idea on what the appeal is of going that route?
Saban's pitch is that running backs have limited lives in the NFL, so it's better to split carries so they have longer careers. That and running behind a pro offensive line.
You forgot they also landed 4/5* Derrick Henry too. I think the appeal to them is they have enough faith in their ability that they will get carries. Last three rb's from Alabama to start all went pro in Ingram, Richardson and now Lacy.
Favorite Buckeye: Obviously BJ Mullens
They also offered Ezekiel Elliot at the last minute if my memory serves me...
Time and change will surely show how firm they friendship... O-HI-O.
They did but they offered him at DB.
"if irony were made of strawberries, we' d all be drinking a lot of smoothies right now."
They are great players who believe they are the best, you can't fear competition if you're a big time recruit going to a football factory. Not to mention Alabama puts RBs in the first round. I don't think it's a hard choice at all for these guys as much as I hate to say that
3 National titles in 4 years..
Great players believe they are great players. Each of these guys is 100% certain that once he gets on campus and shows his stuff, he'll beat out the others and win major playing time.
I'm pretty sure your post has inadvertently turned into a forum in which we all make recruiting pitches for Alabama...
Also they all wont end up at RB like Wilson wont for us. They will be used other ways. But yes UrbzRenewal nailed it as well. Saban can put more than one RB in the NFL in each draft. It is a great sell and totally works when you prove that you can have two RB's over 1000 yards in some seasons with a mix of 800-900 in others. Ingram had only 800 yards his senior season and was still drafted in the first round. With Alabama you only need one good season and you can share it heavily with other RB's and still get drafted in the first round. I have no doubt that Alabama can put a RB in the first round every year with how their offense and recruiting is set up with possibly having a few also each year get drafted in the 2nd-7th round as a backup.
Trent Richardson is the selling point.
He sat behind Heisman winner Ingram for 3 yrs, waited his turn, almost wins the Heisman himself and is the #4 pick in the NFL draft.
And then out pops two RB's that could start for any team in the NCAA last year and would be drafted if they both went pro (obviously one was a freshman and can't). One gaining 1300 yards and the other 1100.
Actually you are incorrect. He backed up Mark Ingram for 2 years only. He was a freshman in 2009 when Ingram won the Heisman. Ingram returned the following year and he backed him that year as well. Then was starting RB his 3rd year.
1st season: 145 carries for 751 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns. He also had 126 yards receiving on the season.
2nd season: 112 carries for 700 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns and 266 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns.
3rd season: Was starting RB this season... had 1,679 rushing yards, breaking Mark Ingram's record for most rushing yards in a season, and 21 rushing touchdowns.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Trent-Richardson...
Because they wouldn't let me go for 3!
Woody Hayes 1913-1987
The beauty of this is numerous guys will never see the field and that eliminates competition elsewhere. If Bama stockpiles these guys, then other teams don't have the weapons. I don't mind Bama loading all of these guys. Look, Bama is reaping the rewards of the current system, it favors them. Playoffs will change everything.
The 5-Star OT, and two 4-Star Olinemen, as well as, 5-star TE Howard certainly don't hurt, either, to go along with the big uglies they already have.
Those who stay will be CHAMPIONS!
~Bo Schembechler
See: Richardson, Trent. Ingram, Mark. Lacey, Ed.
The Alabama offense really depends on a good running game. Sure McCarron was great this year, but that's what you can expect from a senior QB playing behind a stacked O-line. Alabama is running back U, it's obvious to recruits. Running Backs love Bama just like DB's are gonna flock to Ohio State in the next few years, either that or duel threat QB's. Keep in mind for all the talk about Saban coaching Dre Kirkpatrick & Dee Miliner, People forget Joe Haden & Janoris Jenkins. We have a bright future in the secondary, atleast we'll be pretty stacked there. It also helps for me to remember that no matter how many Running Backs Bama takes, OSU will still have a top teir rushing team every year with Urbans offense.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere, & Michigan still sucks
Not trying to nitpick, but AJ is a redshirt Senior, not a Senior. This last season was his junior year as far as playing (redshirted 09, played 10, 11, and 12).
To put it another way, his school class is Senior, but his football class is Junior.
He will still be Alabama's QB this upcoming season.
Consecutive backs in the NFL under Saban who share carries and now he has another crop of them ... it works so he'll keep brining 'em in. Can't blame kids who want to go to a school who's successful at putting RB's into the NFL even if they have to split time.
JT