Alabama Football: What will Trey Sanders’ role look like?

Alabama football running back Trey Sanders is a fan favorite, and for good reason. Sanders has not enjoyed the success on the field that he once seemed destined for, but his fortitude and commitment to the program has been beyond admirable.

A former five-star who was the top running back in the 2019 class, Sanders was widely expected to be in the NFL by now. To say things haven’t gone according to plan is an understatement. He suffered a broken foot just before the start of his freshman season, missing the whole year and taking a medical redshirt.

Prior to this injury, Trey Sanders was living up to the hype in practice. He impressed Coach Nick Saban, and was expected to contribute and take carries away from Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr. as a true freshman.

Sanders looked to bounce back in 2020, and was firmly in the running back rotation in the early portion of the all-SEC schedule. After a slow start, he had back-to-back solid outings, including an 80-yard rushing performance against Mississippi State. Against the Bulldogs, Sanders finally showed the explosiveness that made him a five-star recruit. Regrettably, his most impressive game of the 2020 season would be his last.

Misfortune struck again when Trey Sanders was badly injured in a car accident during Alabama football’s bye week. The incident left him wheelchair bound, and fans were more concerned with his health than his ability to carry a football.

Alabama Football: Sanders finally finds a role

Sanders’ career was seriously in doubt, but once again he battled back. While most of us were happy just to see him suit up again, Trey Sanders exceeded expectations in 2021, making valuable contributions to a depleted offense.

He began the season as the no. 4 running back, seeing limited carries and scoring his first career touchdown in the season opener against Miami. After knee injuries sidelined Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams, Sanders was suddenly thrust into a backup running back role.

He had a solid showing against New Mexico State, made a big catch in a narrow win over Arkansas, and played a major role in the Alabama offense in Iron Bowl and SEC championship victories. He followed this up with his best game of the season, running for 67 yards in the CFP semifinal against Cincinnati.

At season’s end, Trey Sanders was second on the team with 314 yards on 72 carries with a pair of touchdowns.

Alabama football: Trey Sanders’ 2022 outlook

He enters his redshirt junior season another year removed from his injuries. Opportunities may be at a premium, as Sanders is once again in a stacked position group. If last season’s pre-injury rotation is any indication, Sanders may be buried on the depth chart.

However, if McClellan and Williams are slowly eased back into the lineup, Sanders could play a big role early behind transfer Jahmyr Gibbs. This would give Sanders a chance to show some his unique abilities and cement himself in the rotation.

Trey Sanders has displayed excellent vision, and with a healthy offseason behind him, perhaps he has regained some of his speed and burst. At one time, he was highly praised for his receiving skills out of the backfield, much like Gibbs. I think he could be really good in this Alabama offense, but of course that is contingent on how many snaps he gets.

Could a healthy Trey Sanders still be a big-time player? T​​hat remains to be seen, but Alabama football fans sure appreciate him sticking around.