The Tide is going to need help from at least one freshman running back in 2015. And that’s probably a good thing, considering Alabama’s remarkable recent track record with first-year backs.

Even if Derrick Henry becomes more of a workhorse than Alabama’s backfield has seen under coach Nick Saban, Bama needs some help. And even if Kenyan Drake recovers to serve as a dynamic all-purpose back.

Either Damien Harris, DeSherrius Flowers or both will play a significant role within coordinator Lane Kiffin’s offense this fall.

Concern about Alabama’s fast-thinning backfield may be overblown, though. There’s only one football to go around. Plus, the Tide has had tremendous recent success with freshmen running backs.

Among the notable freshmen to play since 2010, Tyren Jones — since kicked off the team — averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season, worst on the list. But that per-carry average bested Georgia’s team, which led the SEC at 6.0 yards per carry in ’14.

Alabama has limited the touches of its freshmen backs, with the exception of T.J. Yeldon. The team’s offensive line also isn’t as dominant as it was between 2010 and 2012, when Yeldon, Drake and Eddie Lacy shredded SEC defenses as freshmen.

But the last five notable Bama freshmen running backs have averaged 7.0 yards per carry and six touchdowns in their first seasons on the field. If Henry and Drake stay healthy all season, Alabama would have to be pleased with 500 or more yards from either Harris or Flowers.

 

NOTABLE ALABAMA RBs AS FRESHMEN SINCE 2010

Player Year Carries Yards Average Total TDs
Tyren Jones 2014 36 224 6.2 2
Derrick Henry 2013 36 382 10.2 4
T.J. Yeldon*# 2012 175 1,108 6.3 13
Kenyan Drake 2012 42 281 6.7 5
Eddie Lacy 2010 56 406 7.3 6
Total — 345 2,401 7.0 30
Average — 69 480.2 — 6

*Freshman All-American
#SEC All-Freshman

At 6-foot-1, 211 pounds, Flowers isn’t the largest Alabama running back. The team has featured some bruisers. But bear in mind he was getting practice reps ahead of Bo Scarbrough (ACL tear), and that he enrolled early and participated in spring practice.

Harris, who picked Alabama over the home-state Kentucky Wildcats, among others, didn’t arrive in Tuscaloosa with as much hype as Henry or even Yeldon, despite his five-star rating and status as the No. 1 running back in the country.

As far as the line goes, Cam Robinson (left tackle) and Ryan Kelly (center) are strong All-SEC candidates, and there’s unproven talent at the other positions.

The potential for injury is the major worry for Alabama’s running backs right now. One injury would be a huge deal, especially to the veterans. But two at the same time would put the position into near-crisis mode, especially if Scarbrough doesn’t make it back to the field in 2015.

But, with a little luck, Alabama will feature one of the best backfields in the SEC as well as the country.