Alabama Football Recruiting: Top 10 running back signees of Nick Saban era
Alabama has been an NFL factory ever since Nick Saban stepped on campus prior to the 2007 season. The success at producing top talent has come at most positions, but running back might be at or near the top.
It seems like the Crimson Tide are signing a top runner in each and every recruiting class. Why? Well, because they are. Almost every year, Alabama is inking a player who ranks in the top 5-6 at the position.
So who are some of those top signings during the Saban era? Below is a compiled list of the top 10 running backs to sign since 2007. There are several recent names, but the list goes back a little bit as well.
With all that being said, there are two things to keep in mind when reading this list.
The first is regarding Derrick Henry, who was listed as an athlete coming out of high school. Unfortunately, that means that the Heisman Trophy winner and star NFL running back didn’t qualify for this list. If he had qualified, he would’ve checked in at No. 4.
The second thing to keep in mind relates to 2022 commitment Emmanuel Henderson. Technically, he ranks No. 6 on the 247Sports composite list, but he isn’t a signee — at least not yet. Until he signs on the dotted line, he can’t qualify.
So without further ado, here is the list of the top 10 running back signees for Alabama during the Saban era:
Honorable mention: Altee Tenpenny, Tyren Jones, Roydell Williams, Kenyan Drake and Mark Ingram
Jase McClellan - 2020
AP Photo/Michael Woods
Four-star prospect from Aledo, TX. 247Sports grade: 0.9755 National: 47 Position: 6 State: 6 *Currently at Alabama
Dee Hart - 2011
Michael Chang/Getty Images
Four-star prospect from Orlando, FL. 247Sports grade: 0.9785 National: 37 Position: 2 State: 11 *Transferred to Colorado State
Alvin Kamara - 2013
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Four-star prospect from Norcross, GA. 247Sports grade: 0.9797 National: 42 Position: 1 State: 5 *Transferred to Tennessee
B.J. Emmons - 2016
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Four-star prospect from Morgantown, N.C. 247Sports grade: 0.9805 National: 35 Position: 2 State: 3 *Transferred to Florida Atlantic
Camar Wheaton - 2021
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Five-star prospect from Garland, TX. 247Sports grade: 0.9836 National: 33 Position: 2 State: 5 *About to enroll at Alabama
Damien Harris - 2015
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Five-star prospect from Berea, KY. 247Sports grade: 0.9866 National: 31 Position: 1 State: 1 *Third-round pick by New England Patriots in 2019
T.J. Yeldon - 2012
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Five-star prospect from Daphne, AL. 247Sports grade: 0.9876 National: 27 Position: 2 State: 2 *Second-round pick by Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015
Trey Sanders - 2019
Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports
Five-star prospect from Bradenton, FL. 247Sports grade: 0.9963 National: 6 Position: 1 State: 2 *Currently at Alabama
Trent Richardson - 2009
Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE
Five-star prospect from Pensacola, FL. 247Sports grade: 0.9972 National: 6 Position: 2 State: 2 *First-round pick by Cleveland Browns in 2012
Najee Harris - 2017
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Five-star prospect from Antioch, CA. 247Sports grade: 0.9984 National: 2 Position: 1 State: 2 *First-round pick by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021
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