Fansided

College football rankings: Top 10 running backs of 2021

By Cody Williams

AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones scores a touchdown in the first half half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin"u2019 Cajuns won 31-14 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Breece Hall #28 of the Iowa State Cyclones scores a touchdown in the first half half of the play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin"u2019 Cajuns won 31-14 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /
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College Football
Brian Robinson, Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama

Brian Robinson Jr. returns to Tuscaloosa for his fifth season after being awarded an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 altered 2020 campaign. And after serving as the backup for several years, most notably to Najee Harris, it appears that Robinson will be the lead running back in the Crimson Tide backfield and have an opportunity to prove himself.

To this point in his career, Robinson has never garnered more than 100 carries in a season, setting a career-high as a junior with 96. However, he’s been productive when he’s gotten touches, taking 274 carries for 1,361 yards and 15 touchdowns over his four years at Alabama.

While Robinson may not be the pass-catching threat — or at least he hasn’t shown that part of his game to this point — that Harris was before him, he’s going to be a workhorse in this offense. He’s a wrecking ball whenever he gets a head of steam and is one of the toughest backs in the country to bring down simply due to the violent physicality he plays with when the ball is tucked into his pocket.

Though Harris is certainly a tough act to follow, Robinson should be primed to do exactly that. Not only is he experienced and familiar with the Alabama offense (though it’s under new leadership with Bill O’Brien taking over for Steve Sarkisian) but he’s a capable, physical runner who will be behind an extremely talented line. That’s a recipe for big-time success in the 2021 season.