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3 Greatest Running Backs in Alabama History

By Zach Brunner

The greatest RBs to play for Alabama make for a long list, but talents like Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram top the list.
The greatest RBs to play for Alabama make for a long list, but talents like Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram top the list. / Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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The Alabama Crimson Tide have been an absolute powerhouse in the college football for a little more than the past decade now, and they will like continue to be in future seasons. They have dominated the rankings, stats, recruiting and just about everything else there is lately.

Part of what makes them such a dominant team year in and year out is their ability to continue rolling out talented running backs behind their big offensive line. Here's a look at the three best running backs in Alabama history.

Greatest RBs in Alabama History

3. Shaun Alexander (1996-99)

Shaun Alexander is the all-time leader in school touchdowns (49).
Shaun Alexander is the all-time leader in school touchdowns (49). / Tom Hauck/Getty Images

Many forget about just how dominant Shaun Alexander was. Not only in the NFL, but college as well. Before the 2005 NFL MVP was running over defenders with the Seattle Seahawks and making Madden NFL covers, he was doing the same with the Crimson Tide. Alexander ranks second all-time in rushing yards (3,565), holds the school record for most single-game rushing yards (291), and he is the program's all-time leader in total touchdowns, with 49.

2. Derrick Henry (2013-15)

Derrick Henry is the Alabama rushing leader, with 3,591 yards.
Derrick Henry is the Alabama rushing leader, with 3,591 yards. / Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The defending back-to-back NFL rushing leader in 2019 and 2020, Derrick Henry was a beast long before he reached the NFL. At the time he finished his Alabama career, Henry was the program's all-time leader in rushing yards, with 3,591. Henry also boasts the single-season school records for both the most rushing yards (2,219; 2015) and rushing TDs (28; 2015). Henry does fall behind Ingram and Alexander at third all-time in total rushing touchdowns though, with 45. And if you thought Henry looks big on the field in the NFL, hopefully you've had a chance to see some of his college tape. The 6-foot-3-inch monster back really forced some of the defenders to make business decisions and get out of the way from that freight train.

1. Najee Harris (2017-2020)

Najee Harris
Najee Harris is the greatest running back in Alabama history. / Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Derrick Henry's time as the all-time Alabama rushing leader didn't last long. Najee Harris broke that record during the 2020 season, reaching 3,843 yards on the ground. He did it just as efficiently as Henry (6.0 yards per carry) and scored 46 rushing touchdowns to Henry's 42. Harris also contributed far more as a receiver than Henry did, adding 781 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air. His 57 total touchdowns and 4,624 yards from scrimmage are both the school records for players at any position.

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