When creating the perfect running back, there are certain physical traits necessary for a player to be considered the complete package.
Take the vision of Emmitt Smith, add the elusiveness of Barry Sanders, throw in the power of Jim Brown and combine that with the footwork of Walter Payton and the perfect running back is created; or, as Alabama fans like to call him, Trent Richardson.
Throughout his junior season, Richardson has shown why he is a complete running back and arguably the best back in the country. Richardson has been the main focus of the Alabama offense and helped the Crimson Tide finish the regular season with an 11-1 record.
His vision allows him to find holes created by his offensive linemen. His elusiveness helps him avoid tacklers intent on bringing him to the ground and his 5-foot-11-inch, 224-pound frame gives him the power to run through those tacklers. His footwork delivers ankle-breaking juke moves that leave defenders frozen, as a freshman defender for Ole Miss found out the hard way earlier this season.
Richardson’s complete arsenal of talents was on display during Saturday’s Iron Bowl as he rushed for 203 yards on 27 carries. Richardson was already a top contender for the Heisman Trophy, but many experts believe Richardson had his ‘Heisman moment’ against the Tide’s in-state rival, the Auburn Tigers.
Richardson said he felt like the team helped him clinch the Heisman Trophy.
“Without [William] Vlachos, Barrett Jones and that offensive line and [our] defense keeping us on the field, we wouldn’t have had such a successful game,” Richardson said. “So I don’t think I did it, but the team did.”
When asked about Richardson’s performance against Auburn, head coach Nick Saban confirmed what many in America already thought.
“Trent is the best football player in the country,” Saban said. “You love saying that about someone who is such a good person. He does so much to serve other people. He’s a great teammate, a great leader and he cares about everyone around him. His performance and production speak for itself.”
Saban also said that Richardson would not want to take full credit for his performance.
“He’ll be the first one to tell you that the offensive line does a pretty good job of getting the blocks up front, and that is why he has so much success,” Saban said.
On the season, Richardson has rushed for 1,583 yards on 263 carries. He’s averaging six yards per carry and has 23 total touchdowns (20 rushing, 3 receiving). Richardson said he has a lot of inspiration when he’s running the ball.
“It’s just the will that God put inside me and all of the ability he gave me,” Richardson said. “Knowing that I have my little girls out there watching, I just can’t go down.”
