Alabama Football: An RB reunion in the Cotton Bowl

Alabama football will see a familiar face in the College Football Playoff

This season, Alabama football has lost most of the running back room to transfers and injuries. This is a common problem, but few transfers see more success outside of the program. One exception is Jerome Ford, and he will face off against his former team in the College Football Playoff.

Ford was a four-star running back out of Florida. He was added as a depth piece with potential, but he was never seen as a star-studded talent coming out of high school. Still, he had the potential to develop into a starting-caliber back for the Crimson Tide.

After two years, his reps remained limited. He played in eight total games and had less than 40 total touches. He scored two touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards per carry, but the opportunity still lacked. With Alabama recruiting more backs, he decided to transfer.

Ford now plays for Cincinnati, and he’s had two solid years with the Bearcats. He averaged 6.6 YPC in 2020, and he has over 1200 rushing yards this year. Ford has a chance of being drafted if he leaves for the NFL, but he still has eligibility if he wants to return next year.

At this point, it is clear that Ford made the right decision. Playing for the Tide was valuable, but he’s getting more reps for the Bearcats than he ever would have in Tuscaloosa. He also played his way to the College Football Playoff. He’ll be a legend for the Bearcats regardless of how his next game goes.

Alabama football has played former players in the past. Some have transferred within the SEC. However, few have had roles as big as Ford’s. He will be trying to take down the Tide with an elite game.

With so many injuries this year, Alabama would love to have Ford on their sideline. Instead, they will try to stop him from impacting the Cotton Bowl.