For most of the history of football, the formula for winning has been relatively simple. Just follow these simple tenets:

  • Control the line of scrimmage by running the ball and stopping the run.
  • Be solid on defense and special teams.
  • Don’t turn the ball over.

It’s the formula that has brought four national championships to Alabama since Nick Saban took over the head coaching position in 2007. With each passing season, Saban convinces another crop of NFL-caliber talent to come to Tuscaloosa, with the promise of big NFL contracts and glory on the other side of it.

The emphasis on being able to run the ball has become a bit of a contradiction though, as the running back position has dropped in value in recent years among pro football experts. Given their relative lack of durability and how easy they are to replace, running backs are making less money and getting shorter contracts.

The professionals from Nick Saban’s era at Alabama have felt these effects, as this list will show. Some have been very good in the NFL, others epic busts.

Here’s the list:

Glen Coffee (2007-2008)

It seems unfair to put Coffee on this list. He was actually a Shula recruit who split time with Kenneth Darby and Jimmy Johns in 2005 and 2006. After an up-and-down season in Saban’s first season — Coffee was one of the “Textbook Five” suspended in October of that season — Coffee shined in 2008, gaining more than 1,400 yards.

He spent all of one season in the pros, backing up Frank Gore in San Francisco, before retiring, either to return to school or seek a calling in the ministry. He was arrested on weapons charges (later dropped), and in 2013 graduated from Airborne School as a paratrooper. So while we can say he didn’t have much success as a pro football player, he’s doing pretty well at life.

Mark Ingram (2008-2010)

Ingram was a factor for Alabama from pretty much the moment he stepped on campus, rushing for over 3,000 yards in three seasons and winning the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore as part of the 2009 national championship team.

On draft day he earned another distinction — New Orleans drafted him 28th overall, the latest pick in the history of the draft for the first overall running back. Since New Orleans drafted him, his production has gradually increased. In his last three seasons, he has consistently averaged over 4 yards per carry, and in 2015 suddenly became a valuable receiver, with 8.1 yards per reception. It was enough to earn a new contract with the Saints, who offered him a four-year deal.

Trent Richardson (2009-2011)

Well … this is uncomfortable, right? Let’s be honest: We all thought Richardson was the best pro prospect out of all Alabama’s running backs. He rushed for over 3,000 yards in his career, and frankly was about the most impossible player to tackle that Alabama has had in years. His 2011 season is almost impossible to believe.

So then, how do we account for his professional career? After scoring nine touchdowns as a rookie in Cleveland — tying Jim Brown’s rookie record — Richardson has been a non-factor as a player ever since. He was traded from Cleveland to Indianapolis two games into his second season, and went on to do absolutely nothing in two seasons there, losing position battles to Donald Brown, Ahmad Bradshaw and Dan Herron. The Colts waived him prior to the 2015 season. He was signed by the Raiders, missed part of training camp due to pneumonia, then got cut before the season started.

I genuinely have no explanation. Maybe he took too many hits in college and can’t be as effective in the pros. I hope we get a chance to see him prove himself this summer, but I doubt it. He’s been a bust in the pros, no doubt about it.

Eddie Lacy (2009-2012)

On the opposite side of Richardson is Lacy, who most Alabama fans grew to love because of his spin move. Like everyone else on this list, Lacy split carries at Bama, first with Richardson and then with T.J. Yeldon, but still finished with over 2,400 yards in three seasons. He also left with two national title rings.

In his first two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Lacy found himself the perfect complement to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, going over 1,000 yards in both 2013 and 2014. This season his production dipped a little (758 yards), owing to fewer touches (his yards per carry was basically the same as in the first two seasons). He also scored only three touchdowns for the season and spent a good bit of time in coach Mike McCarthy’s doghouse for reporting to camp overweight.

T.J. Yeldon (2012-2014)

Another back who went over 3,000 yards rushing in his Alabama career, Yeldon made a name for himself among Tide fans from the moment he put on a uniform with a 111-yard performance against Michigan. He was equal parts dangerous as a rusher and receiver, even if his quick feet often caused as many problems as they solved.

After one season in Jacksonville, Yeldon looks like a solid piece for the continually rebuilding Jaguars. He finished his rookie year with 740 yards on 4.1 yards per carry. His best performance was a 105-yard effort in an overtime loss to Indianapolis.