Josh Jacobs Unveils the All-Time Top Alabama Running Backs List

When you play for the Alabama Crimson Tide, especially under Nick Saban, you become part of a fraternity of elite talent. That standard applies tenfold to the running back room, which has churned out NFL stars and Heisman winners like a factory line. So when Josh Jacobs—a former Alabama standout and current Green Bay Packers running back—recently revealed his all-time list of the top Alabama backs, fans, former players, and analysts all tuned in.

Jacobs, who starred for the Crimson Tide from 2016 to 2018 before being selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, didn’t just speak from fandom—he spoke from experience. He shared carries with the likes of Damien Harris and Najee Harris, competed in one of the most stacked backfields in recent memory, and now has the credibility of an NFL Pro Bowler.

Let’s break down Jacobs’ list, how he justified his picks, and what it says about Alabama’s unparalleled history of greatness at the running back position.

Jacobs’ list, which he revealed on a recent podcast appearance, quickly made waves on social media and within the college football community. Here’s how it stacked up:

1. Derrick Henry
2. Mark Ingram
3. Trent Richardson
4. Shaun Alexander
5. Najee Harris

There’s no surprise here. Derrick Henry’s 2015 Heisman season was arguably the most dominant campaign in the history of SEC running backs. With 2,219 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, Henry bulldozed his way through defenses en route to a national championship and every major award in the book.

Jacobs, speaking on Henry, said, “Derrick just did things that didn’t even make sense. You look at him and think he’s a power back—and then he’s running away from DBs. He’s the freak of all freaks.”

What separates Henry, in Jacobs’ eyes and many others’, is that his greatness didn’t stop in college. He’s an NFL Offensive Player of the Year, a rushing champion, and one of the few backs in modern times to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards in an NFL season.

Jacobs also emphasized Henry’s mental toughness. “It’s not just size and speed,” he said. “It’s how he carries himself, how he never complains, and how he lifts up the people around him.”

Mark Ingram was the first Heisman winner in Alabama history, a fact that locks him into legend status. In 2009, Ingram ran for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading the Tide to their first national title under Nick Saban. He set the foundation for the dynasty that followed.

“Ingram walked so the rest of us could run,” Jacobs said. “He changed everything. When he won the Heisman, it showed us it was possible. He had that fire, that leadership.”

Jacobs particularly praised Ingram’s versatility and heart. He wasn’t the biggest or fastest, but he was relentless. Ingram has also enjoyed a long NFL career, becoming the Saints’ all-time leading rusher.

“He played with a chip on his shoulder,” Jacobs added. “And he always showed up in big games.”

Though Trent Richardson’s NFL career fizzled quickly, his college dominance was undeniable. In 2011, Richardson put together one of the greatest single seasons in Alabama history, rushing for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns while finishing third in the Heisman voting.

“Trent was a monster,” Jacobs said. “He had that low center of gravity, crazy balance, and he could cut like no one else. People forget how dominant he was in college.”

Richardson was the total package—strength, speed, and vision. While his pro career didn’t pan out, Jacobs maintained that college performance is what the list was based on.

“If we’re talking about Alabama careers, you can’t leave him out,” Jacobs stated firmly.

Shaun Alexander might be the most underappreciated name on the list—at least to younger fans. But Jacobs made it a point to honor the players who paved the way long before Alabama became the juggernaut we know today.

“Shaun put up video game numbers before Bama was what it is now,” Jacobs said. “He didn’t have the same kind of help or spotlight, but he was still that dude.”

Alexander rushed for 3,565 yards and 41 touchdowns during his Crimson Tide career from 1996–1999. He went on to win NFL MVP honors in 2005 with the Seattle Seahawks.

Jacobs called him a “humble legend” and said watching Alexander’s highlights inspired him to believe that greatness could come from any era.

Rounding out the list was a familiar name to Jacobs—Najee Harris, who overlapped with him in Tuscaloosa. While Jacobs had already entered the NFL by the time Harris became the primary starter, he watched from afar as Najee carried the Alabama offense in 2020.

“That dude just wouldn’t go down,” Jacobs said. “I’ve seen him hurdle three dudes in one game. He was finesse and power, and he made it look easy.”

Harris finished his college career as Alabama’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,843) and total touchdowns (57), a staggering stat considering the backs who came before him.

Jacobs also praised Harris’ off-field mentality: “Najee is smart, driven, and built for this game long term.”

While Jacobs’ list sparked praise, it also drew plenty of debate for who didn’t make the cut. Some of the most frequently mentioned omissions included:

• Eddie Lacy – A fan favorite known for his spin moves and devastating cuts.
• T.J. Yeldon – A consistent, smooth runner with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
• Kenyan Drake – Dynamic in the open field and a key part of the 2015 title run.
• Bobby Humphrey – A pre-Saban legend who racked up 3,420 yards in the late 1980s.
• Johnny Musso – The “Italian Stallion” who was Alabama’s heart and soul in the early 1970s.

Jacobs acknowledged that leaving some names off was difficult: “It’s hard, man. We’re spoiled with all this talent. You could make five different lists and they’d all be valid.”

The strength of Alabama’s running back lineage is staggering. Since Nick Saban took over in 2007, nearly every starting back has gone on to the NFL. Alabama is not just a top program—it’s the program for running backs.

When Jacobs named his list, he was doing more than picking favorites—he was acknowledging a culture. One built on competition, sacrifice, and physicality.

“It’s different in that running back room,” Jacobs said. “Every day you’re going against the best. You don’t get better reps anywhere else. We learned from each other, competed every snap, and became brothers.”

While Jacobs didn’t put himself on the list, his omission wasn’t due to lack of talent. His journey from a lightly recruited three-star prospect to a first-round NFL pick is one of the great development stories in Alabama football.

Jacobs battled injuries in college and often split carries, but he flashed enough to make scouts salivate. He’s since made a name for himself in the NFL with his violent running style, patience, and pass-catching ability. In 2022, he led the NFL in rushing yards.

“I’m just grateful to be part of that legacy,” he said. “I wasn’t always the top dog, but I learned from everybody. And I tried to represent Bama every time I touched the field.”

Josh Jacobs’ top five list isn’t just a trip down memory lane—it’s a snapshot of Alabama football’s DNA. The names may change, but the standard doesn’t. Every young back who commits to Alabama steps into a gauntlet of greatness, aware of the shoes they’re expected to fill.

Derrick Henry’s power, Ingram’s fire, Richardson’s quickness, Alexander’s legacy, and Najee’s durability—all reflect different chapters of the same story: a program that churns out elite talent year after year.

And if there’s one thing Jacobs’ list made clear, it’s this: At Alabama, the running back position isn’t just a role—it’s a tradition.