Freshman RB Ingram bids for spot in Tide’s rotation
August 22, 2008
I’m writing about Alabama’s running backs for Saturday’s Eagle.
I get that the scrimmages traditionally are geared around the passing game—particularly with a new offense like Jim McElwain’s.
But the numbers weren’t particularly good from last Saturday’s final scrimmage. The top four running backs combined for 95 yards on 28 carries and no touchdowns. Not horrible, but not dominant.
Still, Nick Saban seems very comfortable with the offensive line and a running back-by-committee system that always keeps fresh legs in the game.
Glen Coffee, Terry Grant and Roy Upchurch, whose name hasn’t come up much in camp, will be joined by true freshman Mark Ingram, a 5-10, 215-pounder from Flint, Mich.
He was a late signee to the touted freshman class and he’s gotten raves from teammates.
Saban is typically a bit more reserved, but said he does a lot of things very well—including work hard.
The coach also talked about recruiting him. Ingram’s dad, Mark Sr., went to Michigan State while Saban worked as an assistant there. They’ve stayed in touch. Saban laughed recalling his home visit with the Ingrams.
“I’ve known his family since his dad was a senior in high school and we recruited him to Michigan State,” Saban said. “That was when I was an assistant — Charlie Baggett actually recruited him since he was from Flint. Of course, that’s where Mark (Jr.) is from, too. When I was on the home visit, Mark Sr.’s wife — because I was in charge of academics and all that stuff (at Michigan State) — she says ’So you’re the guy who used to call me all the time looking for Mark to make sure he went to class.’ I said, ’Yes ma’am, it’s nice to meet you after all these years.’ So I’ve known them for a while.“
