As John Mitchell aptly stated in a previous post, "opportunity is knocking" in the Alabama Crimson Tide running back group. Particularly Trae'shawn Brown, but also Kevin Riley, can showcase themselves for meaningful work when the season begins.
Until an injury during Alabama's first fall camp scrimmage, AK Dear was challenging Daniel Hill to become QB1. Alabama OC Ryan Grubb has been pleased with Dear, not just with what he can do with the ball, but with his much-needed improvement in pass protection.
Freshman running back EJ Crowell did not participate in the scrimmage, either due to a new, minor injury or a tweaked old one. The Crimson Tide staff predicts that Crowell will not miss any games. Possibly he'll be a go for the final camp scrimmage on Thursday.
Alabama football fans are disappointed by Dear's injury, but estimates are that he will return by the Mississippi State game. Freshman Trae'shawn Brown has been turning heads since spring, and he did so again in the first scrimmage. Brown is powerfully built and fast. He has good hands. Best of all, he can make tacklers miss. Can he adequately pick up blitzers and provide pass protection? Being undependable in pass pro would limit his snaps.
Healthy Crowell might not be prepared for Alabama's early games
Assuming that Crowell will have no physical problems when the season opens, there is still some doubt about him. The doubt has nothing to do with his potential to become an Alabama star. But can he pass block? Alabama OC Ryan Grubb has said that Crowell "must learn the game." Grubb's comment suggests that some facets of Crowell's skills could take time to develop.
With a rebuilt offensive line that apparently needs time to progress, can Alabama afford too much reliance on Brown and Crowell in passing situations? If that is a real problem, Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley might have a heavy load in early games. Depending on the offensive line's blocking, running the ball should be no problem with Hill or Riley in the game. But again, in passing situations, is it possible that until Dear returns, Hill is the only running back to be trusted with pass protection?
Such a string of hypothetical running-back weaknesses becoming real is unlikely, but not impossible. And it begs another question. If, in early games, only Hill can be counted on to pass-block, wouldn't a more mobile Keelon Russell have to be QB1?
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