Every year, the annual NFL draft allows for players from programs all across the nation to have their names called, and their professional football journey begin. There is one program, however, that seems to produce more NFL talent than the rest: the Alabama Crimson Tide.
While Alabama has been able to send a player at every position to the NFL under former head coach Nick Saban, the program has done an exceptional job at producing high-caliber running backs who succeed at the professional level.
By constantly sending running backs, among other positions, to the league, the Crimson Tide has made the argument that it is ‘RBU’ for being the program that consistently developing running backs that have successful and impactful careers in the NFL.
A recent ranking of the top-20 running backs in the NFL for the 2024 season by Garrett Podell of CBS Sports features three former Alabama running backs inside the top 10, the most of any single collegiate program.
No. 9 – Josh Jacobs
On this list, Josh Jacobs ranks No. 9 in the league. After being drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders and spending his entire young career with the franchise, Jacobs is about to begin a new chapter. In the 2024 offseason, Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers and will be the team’s lead ball carrier.
No. 8 – Jahmyr Gibbs
Former Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs had a phenomenal rookie season with the Detroit Lions and he is expected to step it up in his sophomore NFL season.
“He became just the eighth rookie in the 21st century to total more than 900 rushing yards (945) and at least 10 rushing touchdowns (10) while averaging at least five yards a carry (5.2, third most in the NFL among running backs in 2023, on 182 carries),” writes Podell. “The company Gibbs keeps with his rookie year production is among some of the NFL’s best when it comes to Pro Bowl running backs.”
No. 2 – Derrick Henry
Former Alabama Heisman-winning running back Derrick Henry had a Hall of Fame-worthy career with the Tennessee Titans, but he will now be the featured running back for the Baltimore Ravens after making the move as a free agent during the 2024 offseason.
“Alongside reigning NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson in the Baltimore Ravens backfield, Henry should have much wider running lanes to work with since the Ravens’ registered a Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade of 67.9, the eighth best in the league,” writes Podell. “That’s a considerable upgrade from the Titans’ 60.2 PFF run-blocking grade, which ranked 17th in the NFL. King Henry is set up to rule once again in 2024.”
There’s no telling if these stars will remain in the top 10 as the 2024 NFL regular season goes on, but there’s also a chance other former Alabama football standout running backs will enter the list, as well.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 offseason progresses.
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