RB Update and Questions

[b2v4ua]

After going to the practice today my concerns aren't as much as they have been.Henry and Drake 1a and 1b. Behind them Harris then Bo. But there appears to be a couple I knew nothing about that may give some competition to the ones behind Henry and Drake. Number 31 Marks, 5 Clark and 33 Gore. All of them ran hard and were quick. Its still the QB issue that I see. Just no front runner.

 

[ALA2262]

Thanks for that info. At over 200 pounds, Mr Gore may provide some between the tackles size with enough speed to keep defenses honest. All provided that he can pick up the offense quickly enough. High school in Syracuse, JuColl at Coffeyville in Kansas.

On a related note, does anyone else wonder about the people running rolltide.com. They list the Marks scatback from Texas as over 200 lbs and also from Syracuse, NY as is Gore. C'mon guys, get it together.

Just checked the 2014 Coffeyville stats and did not see Gore credited with any carries. Then looked at their 2014 roster and he was not listed there either.

http://www.coffeyville.edu/campusuite/modules/rosters.cfm?field=f_name&grp_id=7330

 

[Bluegrasstide]

Cannot speak to the rest of the running back stable, but, judging solely on high school performance, D. Harris can be a very good back in the SEC. He generated buzz in state that was comparable to when Shaun Alexander came out of Boone County. Harris did have an injury and had a rough game in the playoffs to a team that he probably should have ran all over. However, he did look pretty impressive in the Under Armour, I think, game. The numbers he put up were against a schedule that included 2 to 3 Kentucky powerhouses and one State Champion. I do know that his decision to go to the "good guys" left UK fans in a bit of a funk, as they were counting him as the crown jewel of their recruiting class. Whether he is able to leave a legacy similar to that of Alexander remains to be seen. However, I do think he will make Bama fans smile before his years at the Capstone are complete.

 

[RedStar]

Derrick Gore played at the second highest level (A) of HS football in New York (equivalent of Alabama 6A) and finished his senior season with a 9.3 ypc average. Here's his film:

A couple of things stand out to me.

• 
  He has good top end speed.
  He's a little slow in his cuts.
  He has an elite first step, easily his best tool.
  He has a knack for seeing where holes are going to develop.

I'm glad we have him to provide depth while he learns the ropes. He looks like he could be a good addition to the team. He's a project with a lot of solid tools already in place.

Now compare that film to Damien Harris, and you'll see the talent gap.

 

[ALA2262]

Here's the scoop on Gore.
[h=1]Walk-on Derrick Gore turning heads at Alabama[/h]
[FONT=proxima_regular]"The true sophomore runner, who has four years to play three at 'Bama, is from upstate New York, attended a prep school and junior college before visiting and enrolling at Alabama just prior to fall camp beginning.[/FONT]"

STORY

 

[dadleyblane5]

Harris is gonna raise eyebrows when he gets his chance....Wait and see..:wink:

 

[Tiderollin32]

So now it looks like we have 7 deep at the RB position. We have Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake, Damian Harris, Bo Scarbrough, Derrick Gore, Ronnie Clark, and Xavian Marks. Now that we have numbers does anyone think Coach Saban might move Ronnie back to DB for the season to add depth at Safety or move him around at different positions on offense. Seems he would make a great H-Back

 

[DocCrimson]

A couple of things stand out to me.

• He has good top end speed.
  He's a little slow in his cuts.
  He has an elite first step, easily his best tool.
  He has a knack for seeing where holes are going to develop.

I know you're not saying he's as good, but this scouting report reminds me of Shaun Alexander. I loved how Shaun would float behind the OL just waiting for a gap to show itself. He was one of the most patient runners I've ever seen.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

Good question. Clark back at DB and he probably wont see playing times there. Maybe Safety... I think He sticks at RB for now. It looks crowded this year. Next year... Drake and Henry is gone. Keep that in mind, I dont think Marks will see lot of playing times here at alabama... Gore too. But who knows? Just remember we've had lot of injuries at RBs...

So now it looks like we have 7 deep at the RB position. We have Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake, Damian Harris, Bo Scarbrough, Derrick Gore, Ronnie Clark, and Xavian Marks. Now that we have numbers does anyone think Coach Saban might move Ronnie back to DB for the season to add depth at Safety or move him around at different positions on offense. Seems he would make a great H-Back

 

[Tiderollin32]

Good question. Clark back at DB and he probably wont see playing times there. Maybe Safety... I think He sticks at RB for now. It looks crowded this year. Next year... Drake and Henry is gone. Keep that in mind, I dont think Marks will see lot of playing times here at alabama... Gore too. But who knows? Just remember we've had lot of injuries at RBs...

I hate when players of Clark's talent gets sidelined just due to being at the position of need. I think he would make a great hybrid LB/SS. He flashed some speed from sideline to sideline at the UA All-American game out of high school. I agree about Marks and Gore. Wish we could have Marks as a punt returner like Javy and just let that be his sole focus.

You think Scarbrough will have an impact this year coming off the ACL?

 

[JustNeedMe81]

I hate when players of Clark's talent gets sidelined just due to being at the position of need. I think he would make a great hybrid LB/SS. He flashed some speed from sideline to sideline at the UA All-American game out of high school. I agree about Marks and Gore. Wish we could have Marks as a punt returner like Javy and just let that be his sole focus.

You think Scarbrough will have an impact this year coming off the ACL?

I think so, maybe not so much, but just enough to have impact. You know They're putting stewart and Drake back there, people have sad they're extremely dangerous back there... Potentially taking to the house on every kicks between those guys. I like that!

 

[KrAzY3]

So now it looks like we have 7 deep at the RB position. We have Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake, Damian Harris, Bo Scarbrough, Derrick Gore, Ronnie Clark, and Xavian Marks. Now that we have numbers does anyone think Coach Saban might move Ronnie back to DB for the season to add depth at Safety or move him around at different positions on offense. Seems he would make a great H-Back

Saying there are 7 people at the position sounds better than reality.

1: Derrick Henry - No question marks there, expect this to be his year.
2: Kenyan Drake - Recovering from a serious injury, and they'd like to use him as a receiver.
3: Damien Harris - Looks like he could be an instant impact freshman, but that remains to be seen.
4: Bo Scarbrough - Is injured and suspended. He'll remain a question mark until at least the fifth game.
5: Ronnie Clark - changed positions, but due to spring practice he actually becomes one of Alabama's most experienced options.
6: Xavian Marks - It's important to note that he was a legitimate recruit, but he's a true freshman that doesn't have the makings of an every down Alabama back. His upside seems to be along the lines of Dee Hart.
7: Derrick Gore - He kind of comes out of left field and it's a pleasant surprise. You have to hope he's a hidden gem, but it's just hard to imagine any scenario in which he has an instant impact.

So, when you get down to it Alabama only has two experienced/proven running backs and only one who is a sure thing. If... if Damien Harris adjusts well, and if Bo comes back healthy and adjusts well, and may be if Marks or Gore steps up, then Clark might be able expendable at the position, but right now it seems he's needed for depth. If anyone can be used elsewhere, they'd like it to be Drake. May be this is like the situation with Blake where he was moved to RB for one year due to depth issues.

 

[Tideflyer]

Saying there are 7 people at the position sounds better than reality.

1: Derrick Henry - No question marks there, expect this to be his year.
2: Kenyan Drake - Recovering from a serious injury, and they'd like to use him as a receiver.
3: Damien Harris - Looks like he could be an instant impact freshman, but that remains to be seen.
4: Bo Scarbrough - Is injured and suspended. He'll remain a question mark until at least the fifth game.
5: Ronnie Clark - changed positions, but due to spring practice he actually becomes one of Alabama's most experienced options.
6: Xavian Marks - It's important to note that he was a legitimate recruit, but he's a true freshman that doesn't have the makings of an every down Alabama back. His upside seems to be along the lines of Dee Hart.
7: Derrick Gore - He kind of comes out of left field and it's a pleasant surprise. You have to hope he's a hidden gem, but it's just hard to imagine any scenario in which he has an instant impact.

So, when you get down to it Alabama only has two experienced/proven running backs and only one who is a sure thing. If... if Damien Harris adjusts well, and if Bo comes back healthy and adjusts well, and may be if Marks or Gore steps up, then Clark might be able expendable at the position, but right now it seems he's needed for depth. If anyone can be used elsewhere, they'd like it to be Drake. May be this is like the situation with Blake where he was moved to RB for one year due to depth issues.

If Gore can pick up the playbook, he may just figure in for more time than a lot of folks think. If he does, then CLK can play KD more outside and in space where he can be deadly and where he would probably like to play him anyway. We could conceivably see the top three pure RB`s as Henry, Harris, and Gore. That`s also particularly so with uncertainty around Bo`s status. Gore`s certainly not played against anything like SEC D`s, but it sure looks like he`s got great vision and certainly adequate, if not good, speed.