Nick Saban enjoys having a successful tandem at running back.
Since 2007, he has produced some of the best duos in college football at Alabama.
The pairings have come from different states, whether it was Terry Grant/Glen Coffee, Coffee/Mark Ingram, Ingram/Trent Richardson, Richardson/Eddie Lacy, Lacy/T.J. Yeldon, Yeldon/Kenyan Drake/Derrick Henry, Damien Harris/Josh Jacobs/Bo Scarbrough, or Najee Harris/Brian Robinson.
RELATED: Roydell Williams is set to assume Jase McClellan’s role at running back for Alabama
On Saturday, something new is happening for Alabama. Coach Saban will have his first in-state running back tandem versus Texas A&M.
Brian Robinson (Tuscaloosa) and Roydell Williams (Hueytown, near Birmingham) are from the state of Alabama.
Robinson, a fifth-year senior, played at Hillcrest High School and was a four-star in the 2017 class. Williams, a sophomore, dominated at Hueytown High School, and signed his letter of intent as a four-star in 2020. A knee injury to Jase McClellan versus Mississippi has forced the native Texan to miss the rest of the season.
Williams now takes an expanded role offensively, and Alabama is excited about it. Robinson leads the running back room for carries (73), yards (379), and touchdowns (six).
Photo by University of Alabama
Williams is third for carries (24) and yards (154), but his 6.4 yards per rush leads the Tide. Robinson displays power, while Williams provides a combination of traits. Both have speed and catch passes out the backfield.
RELATED: Alabama will roll with Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner versus Texas A&M
The 2004 season was the most recent one where the Tide had a tandem of in-state rushers. Mike Shula fielded Kenneth Darby, Ray Hudson, Tim Castille, and Aaron Johns. Hudson was the lone player from out of state. He arrived from Florida while Darby (Hunstville), Castille (Birmingham), and Johns (Thomasville) were in-state guys. Darby played 12 games, totaling 1,062 rushing yards with eight scores on 219 carries. Despite a hot start, Hudson suffered an injury after six games. He was responsible for 638 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 92 attempts. Castille and Johns picked up the slack. Castille accounted for six rushing scores, and Johns recorded 200 yards. Robinson and Williams are looking to create more damage for defenses than this group.
The University of Alabama has seen more in-state players take pride in performance.
Robinson and Williams know what Saturday means to their families. Both want to put on a show for coaches, teammates, fans, and the national audience. Kyle Field presents a fun atmosphere, but these two are about business.
It will be fun to watch them pound Texas A&M’s defensive front. Crimson Tide fans would love to see Robinson and Williams eclipse 100 yards.
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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.
