After acquiring Arian Foster from Houston (July 18) on a one-year deal, the Miami Dolphins have a three-man competition at running back through five days of training camp. Jay Ajayi is projected to be the starter, but the former fifth-round pick from Boise State is embracing the challenge.
The third back in this conversation happens to be ex-Alabama ball carrier, Kenyan Drake.
His versatility with the football as a back, wide receiver and return man makes him indispensable for coach Adam Gase and his staff. Drake was chosen in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, after accounting for 408 rushing yards, 276 receiving yards, 505 kick return yards and three touchdowns in 2015 at Alabama. His 95-yard kickoff return touchdown against top-seeded Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game delivered Alabama to a 45-40 win.
During offseason workouts, Dolphins’ special teams coach Darren Rizzi and offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen were both impressed with how fast Drake’s adjusted to the NFL game.
A picture and a video of him grinding on the field was posted to social media last week.
Focus https://t.co/vV367JjPZ2 pic.twitter.com/o1l1Mj1MrB
— Kenyan Drake™ 🥋 (@KDx32) August 1, 2016
Tried to "Grind when no one is watching" but @MiamiDolphins have camera people everywhere so it turns into a lit vid pic.twitter.com/jgWyp4CWWq
— Kenyan Drake™ 🥋 (@KDx32) July 31, 2016
He’s had a couple of tough injuries throughout his football career; however, a healthy Drake gives Miami another dimension on offense to combat it foes in a tough AFC East Division.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
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