Rookie running back Josh Jacobs served as one of the few bright spots for the Raiders in their final season in Oakland before moving to Las Vegas.
The Raiders made quite the investment when they took Jacobs with the 24th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Fortunately, he managed to fit the billing as a bonafide workhorse in the backfield.
Jacobs has certainly come a long way since his days as a backup at Alabama. It appears his efforts have not gone unnoticed by his fellow Crimson Tide alumni at the Pro Bowl.
Baltimore Ravens running back Mark Ingram offered up some heavy praise on Jacobs’ skill set, via the Raiders’ official Twitter account:
“Josh Jacobs is the man. Obviously, he changes the identity of that team. Being able to be a physical runner, an explosive runner, catches the ball out of the backfield. He’s a great talent and he showed it this year all year long. I think he has a strong case for Rookie of the Year and I’m a big fan of him. Everything he’s been through and everything he’s going to accomplish. He knows I love him. He’s going to be a Pro Bowler plenty of years, All-Pro… I feel like he’s going to be one of the best backs in the league for a long time.”
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, who led the league in rushing in 2019 and was seemingly unstoppable down the stretch, added that he was hardly surprised by Jacobs’ success considering how well he took over the reins as the starter at Alabama once he left.
“He can do it all, the boy’s a beast, man. You seen it in college. He got his opportunity and the starting role, I already knew what time it was.”
It is safe to say that Alabama has managed to pump out some serious talent out of the backfield in recent years. Despite one generation serving as the backup to another, it is clear that there is still plenty of love between these former teammates.
There is no question Jacobs is certainly deserving of such praise after finishing the 2019 campaign with 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns while tacking on 20 receptions for 166 yards in 13 games. Although he was named PFWA’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, his numbers were not enough to garner him Pro Bowl honors.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb managed to spoil the reunion with his spectacular outing this season. Regardless, it could only be a matter of time before the AFC backfield in the Pro Bowl is filled with a trio of former Alabama running backs.
