Alabama Football Dominance Highlighted by Pro Football Focus Ranking of Highest Graded Rookie Seasons by Running Backs Since 2006
When it comes to producing NFL-ready talent, few programs can match the University of Alabama. From Nick Saban’s arrival in Tuscaloosa to the present day, the Crimson Tide have built a reputation not only for dominating the college football landscape but also for consistently supplying the NFL with some of the most dynamic and durable running backs in the game. Over the years, Alabama has become synonymous with “Running Back U,” and the numbers support the claim. Now, with Pro Football Focus (PFF) evaluating rookie campaigns across the league since 2006, the Crimson Tide’s impact on the NFL has once again been highlighted in dramatic fashion. The list of Alabama backs who have delivered outstanding rookie seasons reads like a roll call of modern football stars, and it serves as a testament to both their individual talent and the program’s ability to prepare them for the next level.
When PFF grades rookie seasons, the metrics go beyond the traditional box score. Yardage, touchdowns, and carries certainly matter, but the evaluation digs deeper—into yards after contact, pass protection, missed tackles forced, and overall efficiency. This makes Alabama’s dominance on the list even more impressive because it reflects the completeness of their running backs. It isn’t simply about raw production; it’s about performing in all facets of the game against the highest level of competition from the moment they step onto an NFL field.
Take, for example, Eddie Lacy, who entered the NFL in 2013 with the Green Bay Packers. Lacy not only carried the load for a team in need of balance but also earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. His rookie season embodied Alabama toughness, as he powered his way to over 1,100 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. PFF’s grading captured his ability to break tackles and his consistency, which made him one of the highest-graded rookie backs of his era. Lacy’s success was not an anomaly—it was part of a trend that had already begun and has only grown stronger in the years since.
Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner, also deserves a place in this discussion. While his NFL rookie season may not have immediately mirrored the college dominance that won him national awards, PFF’s grading system still recognized his complete skill set. Ingram flashed the ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver, while demonstrating patience and vision that would later help him carve out a long, Pro Bowl–caliber career. His rookie campaign was one of several that laid the foundation for Alabama backs becoming reliable NFL assets.
Then there is Derrick Henry, the 2015 Heisman winner and one of the most physically imposing backs to ever play the game. Though his rookie year with the Tennessee Titans was not his most statistically dominant, PFF still gave him high marks for his efficiency in limited touches. Henry averaged over 4.5 yards per carry and showed glimpses of the bruising, tackle-breaking style that would later define his career. What stood out to analysts was his ability to consistently generate yards after contact and wear down defenses, qualities that remain hallmarks of his game today. Henry’s rookie grade reflected his immediate impact, even before he ascended to the role of one of the NFL’s premier backs.
Josh Jacobs, drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019, is another shining example of Alabama’s pipeline producing NFL-ready backs. Jacobs hit the ground running, literally, with over 1,100 yards in his rookie season despite missing time with injury. PFF praised his physicality, vision, and ability to create yardage after contact, traits that made him one of the league’s best young backs. Jacobs’ rookie campaign was so good that it drew comparisons to some of the greatest first-year performances in recent memory. Alabama fans were unsurprised; after all, Jacobs had proven his resilience and versatility during his time in Tuscaloosa.
Najee Harris followed suit with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. Harris was tasked with carrying an offense that struggled with offensive line play, yet he thrived in difficult circumstances. PFF’s grading recognized not only his rushing output—over 1,200 yards—but also his ability as a pass catcher out of the backfield. With over 70 receptions, Harris showed that Alabama backs are trained to be complete players, capable of fitting into any offensive system. His rookie grade was among the highest of any back in recent years, and it once again confirmed that Alabama consistently produces stars who can shoulder the workload from day one.
It is worth noting that this success is not coincidental. Alabama’s approach under Saban emphasizes physicality, preparation, and versatility. Running backs at Alabama are asked to master more than just running between the tackles. They must understand blitz pickup, route running, and situational football. This NFL-style preparation is what allows Alabama players to make immediate contributions at the professional level. PFF’s grading, which rewards completeness as much as raw production, perfectly captures the advantage Alabama backs carry into the league.
T.J. Yeldon, though perhaps less celebrated than some of his peers, also delivered a rookie campaign that impressed PFF evaluators. Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Yeldon produced nearly 800 rushing yards and added over 200 receiving yards in his first season. What stood out in his grading was his balance and pass-blocking ability, traits that reflected his Alabama training. While he did not ascend to superstardom, Yeldon’s early production and efficiency underscored the fact that even Alabama’s so-called “second-tier” backs are often better prepared than many of their peers.
Looking across nearly two decades, Alabama’s impact on rookie running back performances is staggering. Since 2006, very few programs have consistently placed their players in PFF’s highest-graded rookie seasons. This track record not only validates Alabama’s reputation but also serves as a recruiting tool. Young athletes see the success of Jacobs, Harris, and Henry and know that Tuscaloosa can be the launching pad for their professional dreams. For NFL teams, drafting an Alabama back has become a relatively safe bet; the odds of immediate impact are far higher compared to players from many other schools.
The conversation about Alabama running backs is not simply about raw numbers. It is about a culture of excellence and a proven developmental system. Alabama recruits elite talent, yes, but it also molds that talent through rigorous competition in practice, exposure to high-pressure situations in the SEC, and advanced preparation that mirrors NFL playbooks. By the time an Alabama running back enters the draft, he has already faced the toughest defenses college football has to offer, often in nationally televised games with playoff implications. That experience translates directly to rookie success in the NFL, a fact that PFF’s data has now underscored.
Fans of the Crimson Tide take immense pride in this tradition. Every time an Alabama back bursts onto the NFL scene, it feels like a continuation of the legacy that began with Shaun Alexander before Saban’s era and has only intensified since 2006. The NFL is littered with Crimson Tide alumni at running back, each carrying with them the toughness and discipline instilled in Tuscaloosa. For college football as a whole, Alabama’s dominance in this position group is one more reminder of the program’s unmatched influence over the sport.
As the years go on, it seems inevitable that more names will be added to this list. Players currently wearing the Crimson and White already have their eyes on the NFL, inspired by the paths carved by Jacobs, Harris, and Henry. With Alabama continuing to attract top-tier recruits and maintaining its high standard of preparation, the trend is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. Pro Football Focus may keep compiling its lists, but Alabama’s presence will likely remain a constant near the top.
Ultimately, the story of Alabama’s running backs is one of consistency, development, and dominance. From Lacy’s Rookie of the Year campaign to Harris’s dual-threat explosion in Pittsburgh, the examples pile up year after year. The PFF recognition is more than just a statistical accolade—it is a reflection of a system that has mastered the art of preparing running backs for the NFL. For nearly two decades, Alabama has been setting the standard, and every rookie season that earns a high grade is another reminder of why the Crimson Tide sit atop college football’s throne.
