Alabama football’s running back room has multiple players competing for the opportunity to contribute significantly on Saturdays, and there is a freshman running back working his way up in fall camp.
The Crimson Tide scrimmaged on Thursday, and freshman running back Trae’Shawn Brown impressed the right people during Alabama football’s first scrimmage of fall camp.
“Man, really good empty cut vision, meaning when he gets into a hole, blind cut defenders,” Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said on Monday. “He can see and feel that next guy. Very good anticipatory skills. Great out of the backfield. Much better pass protector than people would think because they think he’s short, but he plays down in the middle of defenders, he’s got good feet and he’s a smart kid. Impressive young player.”
Brown grabbed the attention of the media and fans during Alabama’s A-Day in the spring because he was doing the same things that Grubb described. The coaching staff has praised his vision as a ball carrier and how great he is coming out of the backfield. Alabama will scrimmage again this week, and the freshman running back will have another chance to display his electric style of play.
On3’s Chris Low has seen a lot of Alabama football over the years, and even he tweeted out that Brown’s stock is on the rise. Low was the one that got to break the story of Nick Saban’s retirement, so him tweeting out that Brown has “been terrific and gives Alabama the explosive element it will need on offense” is significant praise for the Texas native.
Brown was third in line behind running backs Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley when the Crimson Tide were doing drills this Monday. The running back room is lighter currently because EJ Crowell and AK Dear are dealing with injuries.
With Crowell and Dear on the verge of missing games this season, Brown could see some more action in the Crimson Tide’s next scrimmage and make the case that he is a reliable back that can make defenders miss.
Alabama will host East Carolina on Sept. 5 on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
