“Like father, like son” is a commonly used phrase, and for Alabama football, it will take on a different meaning this season. Former Alabama standout Bobby Humphrey was a dynamic running back for the Crimson Tide from 1985-88. He finished 10th in the Heisman voting in 1987, and logged 3,420 career rushing yards, 523 receiving yards and 40 total touchdowns.
Marlon Humphrey, Bobby’s son, will be a redshirt freshman this fall.
He enrolled at Alabama in 2014, as a five-star prospect from Hoover (Ala.) High School. Humphrey was a stellar athlete, juggling both football and track. He displayed solid coverage skills, accounting for 77 tackles, 31 pass breakups and 13 interceptions. Humphrey recorded six interceptions as a junior in 2011, three of which were returned for touchdowns.
Alabama’s head coach Nick Saban said Humphrey and fellow five-star corner Tony Brown are better prepared and more equipped for this season.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound Humphrey had a productive outing in Alabama’s spring game. He tallied eight tackles, one tackle for loss, a pass breakup and an interception. Humphrey’s speed in the open field may be used in a variety of ways.
Don’t be surprised if Saban experiments with him as a return man, along with being a corner.
Humphrey was the Birmingham News Metro Boys Track Athlete of the Year in 2013, after posting a top time of 6.89 seconds in the indoor 60-meter dash. He’s become a standout on Alabama’s track and field team, but Humphrey is ready for football. August starts fall camp.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
