Alabama football is stacked with depth at multiple positions for this season, especially at running back.
Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr. carry the experience, but Trey Sanders, Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams and Kyle Edwards are all very talented players. As he looks to improve his numbers from 2019, Robinson spoke to local reporters about Sanders on Monday in his progress of returning a foot injury.
Sanders, a native of Port Saint Joe, Fla., was a five-star in last year’s signing class for the Crimson Tide that got hurt at August camp.
Prior to the mishap, he was projected to get a lot of carries. Now back as a redshirt freshman, the burst, acceleration and power is all there for Sanders.
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He has progressed well in fall practice and per Robinson, Sanders continues to grow.
“He’s (Trey Sanders) making good role on our depth,” Robinson said. “He’s learning the playbook, so I feel like he can make an impact on our team in some kind of way.”
Before he got hurt, Sanders made the declaration of him winning the Heisman Trophy as a freshman. It will be tough this year, due to the competition, but it can definitely happen in the years to come.
The 6-foot, 214-pounder brings a lot of explosiveness to the room, according to Alabama’s offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, and the team needs to have him on the field.
When it comes to the trio of freshmen backs that were signed earlier this year, Robinson said it has not taken McClellan, Williams and Edwards long to learn the playbook and pick up things.
“They have been making some really good growth also,” Robinson said. “They work hard. My job is to make sure they are doing everything they are supposed to do on and off the field, so they can stay focus on finding a role on the team.”
Harris and Robinson both return as leaders pursuing a national championship and a high draft stock; however, they also want to leave the room in good hands. Sarkisian is planning on featuring many names on offense and here is an opportunity for Sanders and the freshmen to be involved. Alabama has an offensive line with the capability of winning the Joe Moore Award in front of these backs, so this fall should be very fun to watch.
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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.
