Sports

5 Greatest Running Backs in Alabama Football History

By Eric W. Bolin Athlon Sports

Updated May 26, 2026 6:37 AM

Alabama's history of producing quality running backs dates several decades. But since the arrival of Nick Saban in 2007, the Crimson Tide have been on another level.

Three of the players listed here on our ranking of Alabama's five greatest running backs of all-time played in the Saban era. The other two are old, going all the way back to the 1900s!

Seriously, though, the list does have a modern flair with only player having rolled for the Tide pre-1990. Curiously, though - and you may disagree - our list doesn't even include the school's all-time leader in yards rushing.

Disagree? Have at it. But here's our list of the best five to line up in the backfield.

Honorable Mentions

Johnny Musso (1969-1971)
T.J. Yeldon (2012-2014)
Najee Harris (2017-2020)

5. Trent Richardson (2009-2011)

Alabama running back Trent Richardson celebrates a touchdown against Texas in the National Championship in the Rose Bowl. Tuscaloosa News / Robert Sutto via Imagn Images Tuscaloosa News / Robert Sutto via Imagn Images

Ignore the NFL career. When counting just collegiate accomplishments, not many can hold a candle to Richardson during his three seasons at Alabama. The wildest thing is that he made it despite playing two of those three as the No. 2 back on the depth chart.

Richardson was hardly a normal backup to the No. 3 player on this list. He ran for more than 1,400 yards with 14 touchdowns in his first two seasons, anyway. Numbers that a No. 1 back sometimes struggles to match.

In 2011, though, when he was finally able to take over the No. 1 spot, Richardson broke out, gaining 1,679 yards on 283 carries with 21 touchdowns. It was enough to earn him the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back and finish third in Heisman Trophy voting.

4. Bobby Humphrey (1985-1988)

Alabama running back Bobby Humphrey gets grabbed by two Tennessee defenders. Imagn Images Imagn Images

A two-time All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and two-time All-American, Humphrey spent a long time as the greatest Alabama running back in history, as the only three players ranked above him here played after his time in Tuscaloosa.

At Alabama, Humphrey was a machine. He ran for 1,471 yards with 15 touchdowns as a sophomore and 1,255 with 11 scores as a junior. Humphrey was on the short-list for Heisman Trophy favorites heading into his final season in 1988, but a broken foot limited him to just two games, and the world was left wondering "what if." The run was great when it happened, though.

3. Mark Ingram (2008-2010)

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram breaks away from Florida Gators safety Major Wright during the 2009 SEC championship game at the Georgia Dome. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Coach Nick Saban had brought Alabama back from the doldrums in 2008, leading the Crimson Tide to a 12-2 record in large part thanks to Ingram's breakout freshman season. But Alabama became what we know as Alabama the next year, winning the national title behind Ingram's Heisman Trophy-winning campaign.

The Tide were literally unstoppable in 2009, going 14-0 and running over Notre Dame in the national title game. Ingram was the bell-cow, running for 1,658 yards with 17 touchdowns to capture the award as the nation's best player.

2. Shaun Alexander (1996-1999)

Alabama's Shaun Alexander runs for one of his three touchdowns against Vanderbilt at Legion Field. Imagn Images Imagn Images

Alexander, inexplicably, hasn't gotten much attention for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It would be deserved. At least, though, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 2011. With good reason, too.

Alexander left Alabama after the 1999 season as the school's all-time leader in career yards rushing, single-season yards rushing, rushing touchdowns, and single-season rushing touchdowns. And while he has been passed at the top, his 3,565 yards remain third, and his 41 touchdowns rank fourth.

1. Derrick Henry (2013-2015)

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry carries the ball up the field against the Chattanooga Mocs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of records, Henry's got ‘em. The 2015 Heisman winner put together one of the greatest running back seasons of all-time that year, going for 2,219 yards with 28 touchdowns as the Tide won the national title.

Had that been all he'd done in Tuscaloosa, he'd make the list. But Henry ranks second in Alabama history in yards rushing (3,591) while holding two of the top five individual game performances, as well. At his peak, no one could match what the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Henry was doing.

More Alabama Football Rankings

This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 6:22 AM.