Best all time Running Backs

[JIB]

Trent Richardson
Mark Ingram
Shaun Alexander

In that order. Trent won 2 national titles and really carried the load in 2011. While Ingram was a workhorse in 2009 (that USC game was insane) he had a bit of a down year in 2010.

Shaun Alexander was somethin'. He may have been more talented than anyone but wasn't quite as productive. He might not have seen a lot of the field under Saban.

 

[Alasippi]

(1) Musso (The total package--running, blocking. He did it all)
(2) Ingram
(3) Shawn
(4) Lacy
(5) Trent

Note* This really needs to be by different era's. Musso, as great as he was then, probably wouldn't even get a scholarship offer today. Totally different game.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

I'm surprised that there are lists with Ingram just flat left off or outside of the Top 2? If he's not in your Top 2-3 go back and rewatch the 2009 Season...every game. We don't sniff a National title that year without him. He went off and his 2008 Season was awesome as well. He was coming off surgery in 2010 and you should not judge him off that or his career with the saints. I love Trent too but Ingram had several more MVP type moments yet everyone seems to have forgotten just how phenomenal Ingy was at Bama....smh

 

[MegaVars]

I got run over by a senior Linnie Patrick when I was a Freshman in HS as a CB. It was Walker County vs Cullman HS. He gave me every bit of his 165lbs at full speed.

You mean you actually touched him? He was seldom touched during his high school days & I never saw him ran down from behind in those days either.

 

[im4uainva]

The order of 'Best' might change somewhat had a couple of those players not decided to leave early (can't blame 'em, take the money and "run Forrest, run").

Roll Tide, Roll...A'ight! Beat those vols like the dogs they adore!

 

[B1GTide]

1. Trent Richardson
2. Eddie Lacy
3. Shaun Alexander
4. Mark Ingram
5. Bobby Humphrey

 

[Alasippi]

I'm surprised that there are lists with Ingram just flat left off or outside of the Top 2? If he's not in your Top 2-3 go back and rewatch the 2009 Season...every game. We don't sniff a National title that year without him. He went off and his 2008 Season was awesome as well. He was coming off surgery in 2010 and you should not judge him off that or his career with the saints. I love Trent too but Ingram had several more MVP type moments yet everyone seems to have forgotten just how phenomenal Ingy was at Bama....smh

I think because Mark has struggled a bit in the pros that people tend to forget just how good he was at Bama.
In the modern era I think he's definitely the best back we've had. Not only was he outstanding in performance in 2009 he was, in many ways, the team leader.
I ranked Musso number one all time with Mark second because Johnny was probably the most complete player ever to play for Bryant, but as I said, different eras. Johnny couldn't play in todays high speed game and I can't see Mark lead blocking on a defensive end in the wishbone either.
But I'm with you--I don't see how anyone could leave our only Heisman winner off the top five running back list.
sip

 

[B1GTide]

I'm surprised that there are lists with Ingram just flat left off or outside of the Top 2? If he's not in your Top 2-3 go back and rewatch the 2009 Season...every game. We don't sniff a National title that year without him. He went off and his 2008 Season was awesome as well. He was coming off surgery in 2010 and you should not judge him off that or his career with the saints. I love Trent too but Ingram had several more MVP type moments yet everyone seems to have forgotten just how phenomenal Ingy was at Bama....smh

He was exactly what you needed in 2009, but that does not make him you most talented RB of all time - or even put him in your top three. This is all pretty subjective, anyway.

If I had to guess, I would say that Lacy may turn out to be your best yet in the NFL. Not because he is necessarily the most talented, but because he is perfect for his team's needs.

 

[mittman]

I believe one day Derrick Henry will be on this list. Henry reminds me of Shaun Alexander more than any back I've seen since. Has has a similar build, both set rushing records as seniors in HS and both have the same deceptive speed. Alexander has been the greatest success in the NFL of any Bama back in my lifetime, Eddie Lacy is heading towards a few Pro Bowls too.

Alexander.

There are a lot of great fullback blocks in that video.

I don' have an answer to who is the best ever. As a kid I never thought anyone could be better than Musso. We have been privileged to have some great ones.

 

[BamaBrass]

It's really hard to gauge those players from before I was born, but in my lifetime, I would say
Trent Richardson
Shaun Alexander
Bobby Humphrey

Agree.

 

[Tide Rev]

I have to respectfully disagree with the statement that Johnny Musso could not play in today's game. That would be like saying Coach Bryant could not coach in today's game. Musso was a determined runner who gained every inch out of every yard he could get. I never remember seeing him go backward after being hit...always striving to go forward. He may not have been the fastest RB but if you needed a yard, he would get you 2 or more. He was a complete player in running, blocking, catching the pass, and even throwing the ball when called upon. He was a total team player.

My top three:
1) Johnny Musso
2) Major Ogilvie
3) (tie) Mark Ingram, Tony Nathan
Honorable Mention to Kerry Goode (before he was hurt) and Linnie Patrick.

 

[Rolltide_PA]

Alexander #1, Humphrey #2, Ingram #3

personal fav behind Alexander hasn't been mentioned and it was definitely Sugar Bowl MVP Derrick Lassic

 

[wishbonedays]

I have to respectfully disagree with the statement that Johnny Musso could not play in today's game. That would be like saying Coach Bryant could not coach in today's game. Musso was a determined runner who gained every inch out of every yard he could get. I never remember seeing him go backward after being hit...always striving to go forward. He may not have been the fastest RB but if you needed a yard, he would get you 2 or more. He was a complete player in running, blocking, catching the pass, and even throwing the ball when called upon. He was a total team player.

My top three:
1) Johnny Musso
2) Major Ogilvie
3) (tie) Mark Ingram, Tony Nathan
Honorable Mention to Kerry Goode (before he was hurt) and Linnie Patrick.

I could not agree more about Musso. Coach Bryant was quoted as saying that he wasn't sure which he enjoyed more; watching Musso run or watching Musso block. That is a supreme compliment indeed. Bobby Marlow played before I was born, but I remember watching Musso run every chance I got to see him on TV. Coach Bryant would always refer to his "second effort" during the Sunday Bear Bryant show. I would probably list my faves as follows;
Musso
Ingram
Richardson
Humphery
Alexander
Ogilvie
with a nod to Marlow and Fracchia...also while he was a FB, Johnny Davis was almost unstoppable.

 

[Go Bama]

My favorite back at Bama was Johnny Musso. He was so much fun to watch. He ran with reckless abandon and had that cut off shirt.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Wilbur Jackson. He was the best RB when I was in school.

1) Shaun Alexander
2) Mark Ingram
3) Eddie Lacy

You could put a completely different 3 guys on the list and I'd have no good argument against you. Alabama has always seemed to have a stable full of running backs.

 

[tidefanbeezer]

Shaun Alexander
Mark Ingram
Bobby Humphrey or Trent Richardson

 

[Alabama22]

I'm in my 40's and without looking at stats I'm just going to give you my favorites, one from each decade:

70's: Major Ogilvie
80's: Bobby Humphrey
90's: Shawn Alexander
00's: Mark Ingram
10's: Trent Richardson

I agree, except I'd have to put Johnny Musso in there for the 70's. He was the best I had ever seen during his time.

 

[Highway59]

Anytime one of these threads pop up, its fun to reminisce a bit about some of the great backs that Bama has had through the years. As a teenager growing up in the mid to late Seventies, its hard for me not to wax nostalgic about the wishbone era backs. One that I enjoyed watching during that time was Johnny Davis, what a bulldozer he was. Certainly not in rarefied air of the ones that have been mentioned so justifiably already. Most of the list are spot on. But can't let this discussion go by without giving the big guy a shout out.:smile:

Johnny Davis Puts the Niners Up 21-17, in the 1981 NFC Championship Game

Johnny Davis makes his way into the endzone for the 49ers’ third touchdown of the 1981 NFC Championship Game. The play put the Niners up 21-17 in the third quarter.


Oh, by the way, the man knows his way around the piano...

 

[Alasippi]

I have to respectfully disagree with the statement that Johnny Musso could not play in today's game. That would be like saying Coach Bryant could not coach in today's game. Musso was a determined runner who gained every inch out of every yard he could get. I never remember seeing him go backward after being hit...always striving to go forward. He may not have been the fastest RB but if you needed a yard, he would get you 2 or more. He was a complete player in running, blocking, catching the pass, and even throwing the ball when called upon. He was a total team player.



My top three:
1) Johnny Musso
2) Major Ogilvie
3) (tie) Mark Ingram, Tony Nathan
Honorable Mention to Kerry Goode (before he was hurt) and Linnie Patrick.

Rev-remember I voted Johnny number one as well, but it's a way different game today with far superior athletes.
As far as Coach Bryant then and now, coaches don't have to be bigger and faster now in order to coach--players do though, in order to be truly great.

 

[Alasippi]

My favorite back at Bama was Johnny Musso. He was so much fun to watch. He ran with reckless abandon and had that cut off shirt.

I can't believe no one has mentioned Wilbur Jackson. He was the best RB when I was in school.

1) Shaun Alexander
2) Mark Ingram
3) Eddie Lacy

You could put a completely different 3 guys on the list and I'd have no good argument against you. Alabama has always seemed to have a stable full of running backs.

Wow...you're right. I should have included Wilbur on my list. He was awesome and fast fast fast for a big guy.

 

[Zaiva]

I'm just going to list the best guys I've seen play (no particular order). Shaun Alexander, Trent Richardson, and Mark Ingram.