[jwplayer 2tmwT897-er0jUifI]
I’m a running back enthusiast, It’s exciting to discuss this position and I’ll jump at every opportunity to do so.
That may be the biggest reason to be ecstatic about the hire of Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
A video clip recently surfaced of a coaching clinic that Sarkisian was speaking at. He specifically focused on running backs in the passing game, a position that is the least guarded and offers a lot of big play potential.
He mentions Najee Harris at Alabama, a player that caught 27 passes and scored seven receiving touchdowns for Sarkisian’s offense in 2019. The other name he mentions is Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who went off throughout the 2019 season. He caught 55 total passes for the LSU Tigers.
Sark talking about the least utilized player in the passing game, the RB. pic.twitter.com/ufuOuxBTAG
— All-22 Film Breakdown (@All22_Breakdown) January 7, 2021
This past season, Sarkisian used Harris a bit more in the passing game than he did in 2019. He caught 36 passes at a clip of 9.6 yards per reception. Given the production under Sarkisian, Bijan Robinson is going to benefit greatly. This plays a large role in some believing that Robinson is among the top names in contention for the 2021 Heisman Memorial Trophy.
[lawrence-related id=30944]
This past season, Robinson caught just 15 passes but averaged 13.1 yards per reception. He scored two touchdowns through the air, both came in the Valero Alamo Bowl when he accounted for 220 yards of offense in the backfield.
Robinson will benefit greatly from Sarkisian’s offense. He led the team in yards from scrimmage and rushing in the 2020 season. If he is utilized in the way that Sarkisian likes to use his backs, Robinson is going to contend for the Doak Walker Award and possibly that elusive third Heisman Trophy at the University of Texas.