Tag: rbu

Recent NFL player rankings prove Alabama is RBU

No other college football program produces running backs like the Alabama Crimson Tide. This is a fact.

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

Nov 12, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (8) reacts after getting first down against the New York Jets during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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

Nov 19, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) runs the ball against the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

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

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) tries to get past Houston Texans linebacker Denzel Perryman (6) during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023.
Syndication: The Tennessean

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.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Texas RB Bijan Robinson gives the best pitch for Texas as RBU

Bijan “El Rayo” Robinson tells you why Texas is RBU.

The reigning king of Austin, Texas has spoken. Texas is Running Back University. Continue reading “Texas RB Bijan Robinson gives the best pitch for Texas as RBU”

Look: The last 26 Auburn 1,000-yard seasons

Here’s a look back at the athletes that built Auburn’s “RBU” persona.

Auburn Football earned the nickname “RBU” in the mid-2000s due to its history of producing strong, speedy, and talented running backs, especially in the 1970s, 80s, and 2000s.

After spending a few seasons away from the moniker, Auburn rediscovered its historic past by producing a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time in four seasons.

Sophomore running back [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag] led the Tigers in rushing with 1,099 yards on 233 attempts in 2021, becoming the first Auburn player to rush for over 1,000 yards since [autotag]Kerryon Johnson[/autotag] did during the 2017 season, which was also the last time that Auburn won the SEC West.

The lack of a 1,000-yard rusher in 2018 snapped a streak of nine straight seasons where at least one Tiger hit the mark. During that stretch, there were two seasons that Auburn had two players to cross that milestone.

Auburn fans have been fortunate enough to see amazing athletes over the years, especially in the offensive backfield. As we prepare for the 2022 season, Auburn Wire takes a look back at the last 26 Tigers 1,000-yard seasons in Auburn history. Who has the most 1,000 yard rushing seasons? How do some of your favorite players compare to others? Take a look below:

Georgia RB Kendall Milton: ‘This is RBU’

After Tuesday’s practice, Georgia football RB Kendall Milton talked with reporters about UGA ball carriers.

Georgia is once in great shape when it comes to the running back position, with the return of Zamir White, James Cook, Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton.

After Tuesday’s practice, Milton, a sophomore out of California, spoke with reporters about the stable of backs returning to Athens for the 2021 season.

And he made one thing clear – Georgia is RBU.

“This is Georgia; this is RBU. So, I feel like the run game is always going to play a part in the offense,” Milton said in a post-practice Zoom call Tuesday. “But we’re an offense that has a lot of weapons all over the field. With all those weapons, everybody wants to get the ball. So, you’ve got to make the scheme basically where it fits everybody.”

Last season, White led the way with 779 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, and is expected to be the lead back again this year. Milton, however, looked great during his freshman season and saw action in seven of 10 games, but battled injury.

ESPN names Alabama ‘Running Back U’ & ‘Offensive line U’

ESPN released their rankings for each positional group and the programs that produce the best players for each of them, Alabama tops some.

There is a never-ending, ongoing debate throughout the college football community about which program reduces the best players at each position on the football field. These debates can range from active collegiate players, active NFL players and retired players that are out of the game.

ESPN’s David Hale broke down each position and ranked the top ten programs to have produced talent at that individual position.

The Crimson Tide topped two lists, the running back and offensive line positions, but were present on almost every other list.

Hale has high praise for Alabama head coach Nick Saban and what he’s been able to create in the backfield.

“It’s interesting that, about the same time the NFL moved away from an offensive model built around running backs, Nick Saban arrived at Alabama and turned the tailback position into the cornerstone of the Tide’s success,” writes Hale. “Before Saban arrived in 2007, Shaun Alexander had already won an NFL MVP, but that was about the extent of Alabama’s RBU résumé. Now, though? Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake and Josh Jacobs are all NFL fixtures, and even Trent Richardson and T.J. Yeldon came with impressive pedigrees. Next up? Najee Harris could be in the Heisman mix for 2020.”

Hale also named Alabama ‘Offensive Line U,’ above other programs such as Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Michigan.

“It’s only fitting that the school that gets the RBU tag also wins OLU, and Alabama’s crew up front certainly earned the moniker. Eight Alabama linemen have been selected within the first 50 picks of the draft, and seven earned All-America honors during the past decade, while Chris Samuels, Evan Mathis and Ryan Kelly have all become Pro Bowlers during the Position U era. Current tackle Alex Leatherwood looks like a lock to be the next high draft choice coming off Alabama’s offensive line in 2021.”

While Alabama only led two positional groups, they were mentioned in various others.

The Crimson Tide ranked No. 2 for linebackers, No. 2 for defensive line and  No. 8 for wide receivers.

Georgia RB Zamir White a top 10 RB prospect for 2021 NFL Draft

Georgia football RB Zamir White is considered a top-10 ball carrier in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Pro Football Network recently released their list of the top-10 running back prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Georgia red-shirt sophomore Zamir White (Laurinburg, North Carolina) comes in at No. 8, which is 3rd in the SEC behind Alabama’s Najee Harris and Mississippi State’s Kylin Hill.

Pro Football Network wrote:

“White is a blend of size and speed but has never been healthy for a full season. The best thing for his draft stock is simply staying healthy. Don’t be surprised if White ends the season as the consensus RB1, or if the injuries were too insurmountable.”

Former Georgia star back D’Andre Swift was drafted to the Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft and with the departure of Brian Herrien too, many believe White will be the next man up in an always talented Georgia running back room.

White’s college career so far still holds more questions than answers. The No. 1 running back in the 2018 recruiting class, White was considered to be the next great Georgia running back by many. After tearing his ACL in his left knee his senior season at Scotland High School, White enrolled at Georgia in 2018. He worked his way back from his first ACL tear only to suffer another one, this time in his right knee two weeks before the Bulldogs’ first game.

Knee injuries are always scary, especially for skill position players, so we weren’t sure if we would ever see White on the field for Georgia. However, he persevered, and after a tough rehab and red-shirting in 2018, White was able to suit up in 2019 and carried the ball 78 times for 408 yards and three touchdowns.

A small glimpse for sure, but NFL draft analysts have taken notice. White has already battled his way back from two serious injuries, so I think it’s safe to say he is ready for a big season in 2020 and it would be awesome to see such a hard worker do great things for the Bulldogs.

Georgia football is recent history’s LBU

Is it possible to be both LBU and RBU? It is, because apparently the University of Georgia is, at least in the BCS and playoff eras.

The University of Georgia’s football program has long been known for its development of tailbacks and consequently stakes among the strongest claims to the title of RBU, or running back university. Ten tailbacks in the past 20 NFL Drafts have seen professional action by way of Athens, Georgia.

(Interesting piece of trivia: 34 Georgia running backs have been selected in the draft. That number looks a bit familiar when discussing Bulldog tailbacks.)

However, the Dawgs dominate at a different position at the NFL Draft, sending 20 linebackers to the National Football League, more than any other school can claim across the same span of time.

To put that number in perspective, only 14 Bulldog linebackers had been drafted prior to the year 2000.

(Which brings us to more happenstance trivia: that equates the total of tailbacks drafted from Georgia.)

Is it possible for one school to be both LBU and RBU? It is, because apparently the University of Georgia is, at least in the BCS and playoff eras.

It might have something to do with two incredibly talented position groups running into, over, but ultimately with each other across twenty years’ worth of practices.

Iron sharpens iron, et cetera, et cetera.