Nick Saban discusses Alabama RB’s weight loss

Bigger is not always better – at least that’s what Alabama coach Nick Saban believes.

In an article by 247Sports.com’s Charlie Potter, Saban explains that it’s all about finding the “most efficient, effective weight” for a player. In the case Alabama RB Bo Scarbrough, who weighed in 10 pounds lighter at spring practice than he did a year ago, the noted “weight room warrior” bulked up a bit too much:

“We give everybody a muscle mass, body fat, hydration, functional movement test,” Saban said after Alabama’s first spring practice Friday. “We try to work hard with Miss Amy (Bragg) to come up with what’s the most efficient, effective weight for a guy. We see how this guy’s moving, how he’s running relative to how he used to run.

“Sometimes these guys keep lifting weights and they just keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I think at certain positions, especially skill positions, that’s not always advantageous. We felt Bo’s efficient weight – it had nothing to do with injuries – it’s just how can you play the best?”

Scarbrough, who now measures at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, saw limited action in 2015 due to a torn ACL and a four-game suspension by the NCAA. The former five-star recruit will compete with Damien Harris for the starting running back job this season.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.