Marcus Allen cannot sit still.
With the moves the Oakland Raiders made this offseason, along with quarterback Derek Carr anticipating a bounce back year, the franchise that Allen made great could have a deep playoff run in the fall. One of the rookies to captivate Allen’s attention and has him really excited is former University of Alabama star, Josh Jacobs.
The running back from Tulsa, Okla., was selected in the first round (No. 24 overall) of this year’s NFL Draft – despite not being a prototypical starting back for the Crimson Tide.
His story of going from being homeless to playing professionally has movie directors itching to produce an award-winning film.
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Jacobs’ versatility as a runner, receiver and return specialist navigated Alabama to its sixth Southeastern Conference title under Nick Saban and its fifth consecutive trip to the College Football Playoff.
He totaled 1,315 all-purpose yards as a junior in 2018 with 15 touchdowns – including a team-high 11 rushing scores.
Regardless of him not having blazing speed, Jacobs finishes his runs with authority and hits holes hard. He is elusive in space and allows offensive linemen to create opportunities for him. Now that Marshawn Lynch is gone, Jacobs is expected to start for Raiders’ head coach Jon Gruden and the team during the regular season.
Marcus Allen was a running back for 10 years (1982-92) with the franchise when it was in Los Angeles, Calif.
He was a Super Bowl Champion, Super Bowl MVP, five-time Pro Bowl selection, twice named first-team All-Pro, and was someone with a kind heart.
He sees a lot of himself in Jacobs.
“Getting to know him, I think he’s a great individual.”@MarcusAllenHOF is looking forward to watching @iAM_JoshJacobs work. pic.twitter.com/hL2nEZ1R5h
— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) June 24, 2019
“I am really looking forward to seeing him,” Allen said to team reporters on Monday about Jacobs. “I followed him at Alabama. Getting to know him, I think he is a great individual. I look forward to him getting off to a great start in his rookie season.”
For a man that was inducted into both College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jacobs will certainly take these words of encouragement from Allen.
Not only is fun to watch, but he becomes a different animal with the ball.
Oakland is ready for the animal to get fans pumped.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
