Alabama Football: Top 10 Running Backs During Saban Era

8. Kenyan Drake

Kenyan Drake was Saban’s version of USC’s Reggie Bush. Every time Kenyan touched the ball, he could go the distance whether running the ball, catching the ball or returning the ball on a kickoff. Suffering significant injuries such as a broken leg and a fractured arm hampered his ability to move further up on this list.

Coming out of Hillgrove High School, Drake was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Georgia after rushing for 1,610 yards and 18 touchdowns.  In 2012, he played behind Eddie Lacy and TJ Yeldon.  Kenyan still rushed for 281 yards and five touchdowns.

Drake’s sophomore season, he finished with 694 yards and eight touchdowns. Kenyan also had 12 receptions for a touchdown. During his junior season, he only played in five games because of injuries.

As a senior, he was the Ying to Derrick Henry’s Yang.  Although he finished the season with only two total touchdowns, he provided the biggest play of the 2015 College Football Playoff Championship game.  The sinewy running back exploded for a game-breaking 95-yard kickoff return to put the Crimson Tide ahead eleven points.

Used as Alabama’s swiss army knife, Drake was an impactful runner with blazing speed.  He left the Capstone as Saban’s most versatile back.