Alabama Football: Top 10 Running Backs During Saban Era
By Ronald Moody
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
1. Mark Ingram
Mark Ingram arrived on campus in 2008 out of Flint Southwestern Academy. Ingram was All-State his senior season in Michigan. The five-foot-nine Ingram was rated as a four-star athlete coming out of high school. In his first game against Clemson, he rushed for 96 yards. Mark became Glen Coffee’s primary backup during his freshman season rushing for 728 yards and 12 scores. His twelve touchdowns were an Alabama school record for a freshman.
The following year, Mark made the nation take notice. He finished with 1,658 yards rushing, 20 overall touchdowns (17 rushing, three receiving) and a 6.1 yards per carry average.
Ingram became the University of Alabama’s first Heisman Trophy winner. Mark was the catalyst behind the Tide’s first national championship in 2009, Alabama’s first title since 1992. Other accolades were unanimous first-team All-American and first team All-SEC. He rushed for a career-high 246 yards against South Carolina. Leading Alabama football to the SEC title game, Ingram rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns. He surpassed Bobby Humphrey’s single-season rushing record for Alabama.
During Mark’s junior season, he rushed for 875 yards and 13 scores after missing the first two games due to an injury.
Undoubtedly, Mark Ingram did not possess the hoopla mentioned with many of the running backs mentioned earlier. However, he dominated the opposition from day one. Ingram is unequivocally one of the Alabama football greats and Saban’s best back.
Next: Can any Offensive Gurus out-scheme the Tide in '18?
All of these exemplary backs have given Alabama football fans plenty to boast about in their offices. The runners have provided fans with highlights for decades. Looking forward to the next wave of great runners Saban employs.