A Renaissance Man. A jack of all trades. A Swiss Army knife. Every cliché you can think of is applicable when describing junior running back Josh Jacobs.

Jacobs received the bulk of Alabama’s carries in the team’s win against Mississippi State, toting the ball 20 times for 97 yards and a score. On one of the few downs when Jacobs was not called on to jam the ball into the teeth of the Bulldog defensive line, he caught a pass from Tua Tagovailoa on a wheel route and jetted into the end zone for a score. It was one of two catches for Jacobs, who finished with 14 receiving yards.

“[He] really did a good job, especially at the end of the game,” coach Nick Saban said. “Josh was a demon running it on a couple of those runs. I was really impressed with the way he played.”

Jacobs is arguably the Crimson Tide’s most difficult running back to game plan for. His size and speed allow him to lower his shoulder when necessary, but he can bounce the ball outside as well.

“I just try to be versatile,” Jacobs said. “Maybe I try to be physical sometimes, shifty other times. I just try to be physical. I try to just focus on the little things like my tracks, my reads and even footwork, try to press it as much as I can before I make a decision. That’s probably the biggest thing is just taking control of the little things.”

Though his stat line alone speaks volumes for the impact Jacobs made on the game, his impact without the ball is why Saban has come to lean so much on his junior running back. Jacobs’ effectiveness in the passing game is what separates him from other ball carriers. Whether it’s recognizing and picking up blitzes or getting out in the flat and reeling in passes, Jacobs is a valuable player to have on the field when Tagovailoa drops back to pass.

“That’s the thing with running backs in pass protection,” junior offensive lineman Jonah Williams said. “There are times [running backs] can get out and release, and we can get them the ball. One of those was Josh Jacobs’ kind of wheel-route touchdown that he had.

“There are times they bring a blitz, and the back has to pick them up, and that makes us look good… But our running backs are smart and do a good job, and we work with them during the week as far as picking up blitzes goes.”

Even when the rest of the offense is on the sideline, Jacobs is still finding ways to make massive contributions to the Crimson Tide. Jacobs’ elusiveness with the ball and blocking ability make him a foundational piece in Alabama’s special teams. He has recorded 378 yards on 12 kickoff returns this season, most notably a 77-yard return for a touchdown against Louisville.

“He’s a very versatile player,” Saban said. “He’s done a really good job in the return game on kickoff return. He’s always been a diverse guy as a running back. He’s a really good receiver. Runs really good routes. He’s difficult to cover. He’s explosive as a runner, and he’s got power. He can make you miss. He’s also a very good blocker. And he’s one of the best special teams players besides being a return guy.”

Ultimately, these well-rounded contributions that Jacobs offers are what truly portray how important he is to Alabama.

“Maybe people don’t notice that he is one of our best special teams players and contributes and never ever asks to come out,” Saban said