The State of Alabama is one of the most talent rich states in the country,
routinely finishing in the top six or seven states nationally for producing
college football players. The players at the top of the heap have been talented
as well with a bevy of NFL draft picks.
However, one positions has been sorely lacking over the course of the last
decade: running back. Considering Alabama and Auburn are two of the better
running teams historically, it seems even more odd that the running back
position has been so barren.
Before T.J. Yeldon burst on the scene as a freshman at Alabama, the last true
tailback to be considered a premier runner to come from Alabama was Carnell Williams in the Class of 2001.
Alabama and Auburn have still had their share of NFL players at the position, including six currently on NFL rosters,
but the Tide and Tigers have had to look outside of the state to fill their
stable of backs including Glen Coffee (Florida), Mark Ingram (Michigan), Trent Richardson (Florida), Ben Tate (Maryland), Onterio McCalebb (Florida), and
Michael Dyer (Arkansas) just to name a few.
Yeldon looks to be the first back since "Cadillac" Williams to be a
true star at tailback from the state of Alabama, and Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah may have a say, but they won't be the last if the
Class of 2014 has any say.
Yeldon helped break the streak, but Racean Thomas (5'11/195) of Oxford and Bo Scarborough (6'2/220) of Tuscaloosa are out to make a name for running backs in
the Yellow Hammer State.
Thomas is an exciting blend of quickness, speed, and power, while the bigger
Scarborough runs with surprising agility considering his size. Thomas and
Scarborough are Top 25 players regardless of position nationally and would be
considered the No. 1 running back in most classes. Scarborough has already made
a commitment to Alabama, and Thomas is leaning that way.
No matter where they end up, after having produced so many top defenders the
last decade, the running backs in the State of Alabama look to be making a
comeback.
Scott began with Scout as the Southeast Regional Manager in 2002. In addition to his recruiting responsibilities, Scott developed and ran the National Scout Combine series from 2005 thru 2008. Scott has been Director of Scouting since 2006 and oversees the Recruiting Rankings for Scout.
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