Alabama Football: Expect a stable of running backs in 2021

Alabama football will use all of their running backs in 2021.

There have been three different ways that Alabama football has handled the running back room. They prefer having a duo. This stems back to when Trent Richardson played behind Mark Ingram and Eddie Lacy backed Richardson.

When they don’t have two equally talented running backs, they rely on one back heavily. Najee Harris was this back in 2020. Although Brian Robinson got quality reps, Harris played as many snaps as he could. This also happened when Derrick Henry won the Heisman Trophy.

However, the best way that Alabama has handled this position has been when they used an entire stable of backs. When Najee Harris was a freshman and a sophomore, this was the strategy. This will also be Alabama football’s strategy in 2021.

In all honesty, Alabama has to use this style next season. Brian Robinson will be the returning veteran, but there is too much talent behind him to let him get too many carries. Jase McClellan showed all sorts of potential as a freshman, and he will be ready for a bigger role this year. The same goes with Roydell Williams. If Trey Sanders is healthy, he will also compete for reps.

Alabama football also has Keilan Robinson. He showed potential as a freshman, but he opted out of 2020. He now says that he is stronger and faster, which will be scary for opposing defenses.

This doesn’t even include the running backs Alabama landed in recruiting. They might have to wait their turn, but this is clearly as deep of a position group as any in 2021.

If any other team lost the best running back in college football, they would be scrambling to replace his production. While Alabama football will miss Najee Harris, they have plenty of options to get production in the backfield.

Keilan Robinson and McClellan add speed. Brian Robinson will add power and experience. If he is healthy, Sanders will be a great pass-catcher out of the backfield. With this much talent, you have to expect that Alabama football will go back to the stable approach.