Tuscaloosa, Ala. is home to legends. Bear Bryant, Nick Saban … Heisman trophy winners Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram. One legend pales in comparison to the aforementioned bunch when it comes to on field achievement at Alabama.
This legend only carried the ball 18 times for 104 yards and a single touchdown during the Tide’s 2015 national championship campaign. Before stepping foot in Bryant Denny Stadium, this legend wrote his story on another field in Tuscaloosa. He stunned crowds playing at Northridge High School, before finishing his high school career at the IMG Academy, in Bradenton, Fla.
Legends write their stories across the world, but this one stayed close to home choosing Alabama over schools like Miami, UCLA, Florida and Florida State.
Bo Scarbrough knows that his physical presence (6’2″ 230 lbs. of pure muscle), hometown roots, and eye popping high school performances are all parts to the puzzle of the legend status surrounding him.
Despite putting together a limited body of work, Vegas oddsmakers list him as a 25-1 favorite to win the coveted Heisman trophy. He surpasses the odds of established rushers such as Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine. One season, 18 carries, 104 yards and one touchdown was all it took for Scarbrough to even be mentioned in the Heisman conversation.
For most running backs, those number are the stat line for a good performance in one game. For Bo, it was the completion of a 2015 season, one in which Scarbrough’s legend grew despite being in the shadow of established legend Derrick Henry.
Scarbrough’s admiration isn’t one that is unique to fans. His teammates also admire his impressive ability.
“He’s going to be a great one,” former Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed said, before the national championship game. “His time is coming. … He’s another Derrick Henry.”
Another Derrick Henry? A guy who only rushed for 104 yards last season is comparable to a 2,200 yard rusher? How is this?
Simple. If he follows in the footsteps of his predecessors, Scarbrough will be as good, if not better than the running backs who came before him. He has the speed, size and work ethic to be the next Derrick Henry. Alabama has put out backs who have not had nearly as much hype surrounding them as Scarbrough. So who are we to say that he won’t continue adding to his legend status?
The only thing holding Scarbrough back from unleashing his “god like” abilities is time. Nick Saban isn’t one to crown someone the King before they put in their time in his kingdom. This may be Bo’s year, it may not. But one thing is certain: If he is as legendary as billed, Alabama fans are willing to wait to see the spectacle unfold before their very eyes.
Beware of Bo.
“His time is coming…He’s another Derrick Henry.” – Jarran Reed https://t.co/4zBLPDkcIz pic.twitter.com/4P8QBw3bL9
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) April 1, 2016
Blain Bradley is a contributor for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “Follow” him on Twitter, via @blainbradley1 or “like” him on Facebook
