After not providing any information on the suspensions of running backs Najee Harris and Brian Robinson, Nick Saban has media pundits and fans alike waiting to see how much time they see versus Duke.
Jerome Ford, a redshirt freshman, is the third name on the depth chart.
The 5-foot-11, 212-pounder has made a lot of progress since returning from a sprained ankle; however, he is not been cleared by the medical staff yet. Saban listed Ford as “day-to-day” and he will play upon being cleared, but if not, Alabama will continue to work with him.
In the event that Ford cannot go, Keilan Robinson (true freshman) becomes the next option.
A four-star from Washington, D.C., he was underrated out of St. John’s High School – the program that produced his teammate, Terrell Lewis.
At 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, Robinson brings a low center of gravity as a runner and also has elite speed on the perimeter.
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During the Crimson Tide’s open practice to start this month, he looked impressive cutting inside holes, catching passes out of the backfield and using patience to set up cutback runs.
As Saban looks to instill discipline in his two veterans, he hopes the team has an opportunity to feature Robinson a few times against the Blue Devils.
“Keilan has got juice,” Saban said on Wednesday. “He’s quick… He’s fast and very explosive. So, he gives us a different type of guy from the other guys that we have, which I think is important at that position.”
Per sources, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine heard all summer long on the capabilities Robinson has and his acceleration upon getting the ball. Although he is three inches taller, he carries the same body structure and playing style of NFL rusher, Darron Sproles.
Sproles, who stands at 5-foot-6, has been in the league since 2005 as he was selected in the fourth round by the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers. He was a first-team All-American, first-team All-Big 12, and was fifth in the Heisman voting in 2003 at Kansas State University.
Robinson had 23 offers coming out of high school – including Georgia and Mississippi State of the Southeastern Conference. He decided on Alabama and Saban wants to see what he can do.
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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.
