Alabama Crimson Tide: Mark Ingram
TideNation's Alex Scarborough released his All-Saban squad earlier today, highlighting the best players to suit up for Alabama during the Nick Saban era. Almost immediately, fans keyed in on the running back pick as Scarborough went with current back T.J. Yeldon over former Heisman winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, both of whom are starring in the NFL.
So who is the fans' pick to occupy that spot? Check out the tweets below for a sampling of what TideNation had to say on the debate. Tweet @TideNationESPN to give us your RB pick or give us feedback on any of the other positions.
So who is the fans' pick to occupy that spot? Check out the tweets below for a sampling of what TideNation had to say on the debate. Tweet @TideNationESPN to give us your RB pick or give us feedback on any of the other positions.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- As it turned out, 2008 was just the beginning. Alabama's 2009 signing class was one step ahead for Nick Saban and the coaching staff as it finished No. 2 in the country, highlighted by the likes of Dre Kirkpatrick, Trent Richardson, AJ McCarron and Eddie Lacy.
But those were just the headliners. Like many of the recruiting classes to come in the years since, the 2009 class was solid top to bottom. Chance Warmack, Anthony Steen and James Carpenter were all ranked in the second half of the class. Kevin Norwood, Darrington Sentimore and Quinton Dial also came out of the lower half of the class to become playmakers at the college level.
There's no doubt, though, who the star of the class was. Richardson, the No. 1 running back from Pensacola, Fla. in the country, was stolen right out from under the Florida Gators' nose. The 5-foot-11, 219-pound athlete was an instant impact player, rushing for more than 700 yards as a true freshman. Two seasons later he was in New York City as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. A few months after that, he was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.
But those were just the headliners. Like many of the recruiting classes to come in the years since, the 2009 class was solid top to bottom. Chance Warmack, Anthony Steen and James Carpenter were all ranked in the second half of the class. Kevin Norwood, Darrington Sentimore and Quinton Dial also came out of the lower half of the class to become playmakers at the college level.
There's no doubt, though, who the star of the class was. Richardson, the No. 1 running back from Pensacola, Fla. in the country, was stolen right out from under the Florida Gators' nose. The 5-foot-11, 219-pound athlete was an instant impact player, rushing for more than 700 yards as a true freshman. Two seasons later he was in New York City as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. A few months after that, he was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.
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Changing the game: Ingram, Class of '08 
January, 21, 2013
Jan 21
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Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It was the shot across the bow. Nick Saban and the Alabama coaching staff made a statement with the class of 2008.
It was Saban's first full year recruiting as the head coach of the Crimson Tide, and what a stunning first impression it was. Not only did he haul in the No. 3 signing class in the country, but he went nationwide to do it, pulling a 2,000-yard running back from all the way up in Flint, Mich., by the name of Mark Ingram.
Saban drew on familiar ties to nab the 12th-ranked running back in the country, according to ESPN, swiping Ingram out from under the nose of Michigan State, where the now 61-year-old Saban held the second head coaching job of his career.
It was Saban's first full year recruiting as the head coach of the Crimson Tide, and what a stunning first impression it was. Not only did he haul in the No. 3 signing class in the country, but he went nationwide to do it, pulling a 2,000-yard running back from all the way up in Flint, Mich., by the name of Mark Ingram.
Saban drew on familiar ties to nab the 12th-ranked running back in the country, according to ESPN, swiping Ingram out from under the nose of Michigan State, where the now 61-year-old Saban held the second head coaching job of his career.
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Would Tide reign if fire rains down today?
December, 21, 2012
12/21/12
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By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Take a moment to look away from the fire raining down outside your windows. Try to focus over the howling of your pets. Turn off the utter meltdown on the 24-hour-news networks and enjoy the final moments of the apocalypse.
The Mayans were right. The reckoning is upon us and all that's left to do is read this lousy obituary. We're all goners: you, your neighbors, that guy at the supermarket who remembered your preference of paper over plastic. Even Alabama football is gone. It's a shame really, with the national championship just 17 days away. Would there have been a better place to ride out the end of days than Miami?
That's what we're here to document. We've got the Crimson Tide. Leave the rest to the vultures.
How will Alabama be remembered when the seedlings of life sprout from our scorched Earth and the next wave of mankind takes to recording history? What will the prognosticators remember of the school with the most championships in all of college football? The argument will likely land somewhere between the discussion of the best president not named Lincoln and whether or not high fructose corn syrup was a real thing.
Was Paul "Bear" Bryant the best college football coach of all time? He was third on the wins list, but had a higher winning percentage than the two coaches ahead of him.
Was Nick Saban the best active coach? He was poised to win a fourth national championship after all. Some argue he was a machine anyway. Maybe he'll survive all this and hit the recruiting trail after the NCAA's dead period ends.
Who was the best player of all time? The best running back? The best quarterback? Was Trent Richardson better than Mark Ingram? What about Shaun Alexander? Would T.J. Yeldon have gotten the better of them all if he had four years to do it? Would Kirby Smart ever have become a head coach?
The Mayans were right. The reckoning is upon us and all that's left to do is read this lousy obituary. We're all goners: you, your neighbors, that guy at the supermarket who remembered your preference of paper over plastic. Even Alabama football is gone. It's a shame really, with the national championship just 17 days away. Would there have been a better place to ride out the end of days than Miami?
That's what we're here to document. We've got the Crimson Tide. Leave the rest to the vultures.
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Malcolm Emmons/US PresswireIf we're all going down today, why not go out wearing some Houndstooth like the Bear would have wanted.
Malcolm Emmons/US PresswireIf we're all going down today, why not go out wearing some Houndstooth like the Bear would have wanted.Was Paul "Bear" Bryant the best college football coach of all time? He was third on the wins list, but had a higher winning percentage than the two coaches ahead of him.
Was Nick Saban the best active coach? He was poised to win a fourth national championship after all. Some argue he was a machine anyway. Maybe he'll survive all this and hit the recruiting trail after the NCAA's dead period ends.
Who was the best player of all time? The best running back? The best quarterback? Was Trent Richardson better than Mark Ingram? What about Shaun Alexander? Would T.J. Yeldon have gotten the better of them all if he had four years to do it? Would Kirby Smart ever have become a head coach?
Tide's haul started at Saban's hiring
November, 21, 2012
11/21/12
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- For Nick Saban, his success started on the recruiting trail, not the football field.
In his first season, the University of Alabama head football coach went 6-6 and guided the Crimson Tide to a berth in the Independence Bowl, the lowly Independence Bowl, where they hung on to defeat Colorado.
Almost immediately, the turnaround began. Saban and his staff put together the No. 3 recruiting class in the country during his first full year. The group featured seven ESPN 150 prospects, five first-round NFL draft picks and included a Heisman Trophy winner.
In his first season, the University of Alabama head football coach went 6-6 and guided the Crimson Tide to a berth in the Independence Bowl, the lowly Independence Bowl, where they hung on to defeat Colorado.
Almost immediately, the turnaround began. Saban and his staff put together the No. 3 recruiting class in the country during his first full year. The group featured seven ESPN 150 prospects, five first-round NFL draft picks and included a Heisman Trophy winner.
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Derrick Henry says yes to Alabama
September, 28, 2012
9/28/12
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By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
The University of Alabama has become the premier destination for the nation’s top running backs. Former stars Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson are now playing on Sundays, and the Crimson Tide’s backfield this season is made up of three former ESPN 150 stars.
But is there such a thing as having too many good running backs?
On Friday, Alabama picked up a commitment from four-star athlete Derrick Henry. He became the Tide’s 21st commitment -- nine of whom are in the ESPN 150, with Henry ranked No. 48 -- but it is an addition that could shake up the rest of the class.
But is there such a thing as having too many good running backs?
On Friday, Alabama picked up a commitment from four-star athlete Derrick Henry. He became the Tide’s 21st commitment -- nine of whom are in the ESPN 150, with Henry ranked No. 48 -- but it is an addition that could shake up the rest of the class.
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Week in review: Tide taking shape
August, 12, 2012
8/12/12
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By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The week at the University of Alabama started off slowly. The Crimson Tide put on shells, then went into full pads. The sun rose, the sun set.
Cal Sport Media via AP ImagesThere was no drama for Nick Saban as preseason camp opened, but things changed quickly.It was fun, bordering on something similar to excitement. Football, after months away, was back with us.
Nick Saban went on a rant about expectations, we got to speak with both coordinators for one of the few times all year and Jesse Williams finally got the chance to speak out about his weight room prowess.
Then, real life (also known as breaking news) happened. Chris Black went down with a shoulder injury, Travell Dixon left the team and Jarrick Williams tore his ACL.
"Boom!" is right. The calm couldn't last forever, and frankly, where would be the fun in that?
Are the Crimson Tide better off today than they were a week ago? Probably not.
Are they hurt beyond repair? Absolutely not.
Losing three players is never a good thing, but if you're going to suffer injuries there are far worse scenarios one could dream up. The defense is still young, talented and deep. The offense still possesses one of the most impressive line's in recent memory, AJ McCarron continues to blossom as a leader and the receivers are still an upgrade over last year's bunch.
If we're grading Alabama's start to camp, let's say they passed. And with 12 practices in the books and 13 to go, passing isn't bad thing.
Looking back, here are a few things we learned this week:
Cal Sport Media via AP ImagesThere was no drama for Nick Saban as preseason camp opened, but things changed quickly.Nick Saban went on a rant about expectations, we got to speak with both coordinators for one of the few times all year and Jesse Williams finally got the chance to speak out about his weight room prowess.
Then, real life (also known as breaking news) happened. Chris Black went down with a shoulder injury, Travell Dixon left the team and Jarrick Williams tore his ACL.
"Boom!" is right. The calm couldn't last forever, and frankly, where would be the fun in that?
Are the Crimson Tide better off today than they were a week ago? Probably not.
Are they hurt beyond repair? Absolutely not.
Losing three players is never a good thing, but if you're going to suffer injuries there are far worse scenarios one could dream up. The defense is still young, talented and deep. The offense still possesses one of the most impressive line's in recent memory, AJ McCarron continues to blossom as a leader and the receivers are still an upgrade over last year's bunch.
If we're grading Alabama's start to camp, let's say they passed. And with 12 practices in the books and 13 to go, passing isn't bad thing.
Looking back, here are a few things we learned this week:
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Derick E. Hingle/US PresswireMark Ingram is one of 40 former Alabama players currently in the NFL.
Derick E. Hingle/US PresswireMark Ingram is one of 40 former Alabama players currently in the NFL.When University of Alabama coach Nick Saban pitches his football program, there are several points he can make to recruits. Two national titles in three seasons, two SEC title game appearances, the allure of being part of yet another top-5 recruiting class.
But the number he can really push to recruits is 40. As in, the total number of Alabama players currently playing in the NFL.
When you walk through the Mal Moore Athletic Facility, there's a room dedicated to just that. On the walls, there are images of former UA players like Mark Ingram and Marcell Dareus. When coaches sit down and talk with recruits, they can bring up an NFL player for nearly every position.
Wide receiver? Julio Jones played at UA. Quarterback? John Parker Wilson and Greg McElroy played the position at UA. Defensive back? Dre Kirkpatrick and Javier Arenas both starred at UA. Linebacker? Well, you get the point.
(In case you didn't: Courtney Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower, Jarrell Harris, Jarret Johnson, Rolando McClain, DeMeco Ryans, Alex Watkins and Chavis Williams all played linebacker in Tuscaloosa before going off to careers in the NFL.)
Lettermen and concerns return for Tide
April, 13, 2012
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By Jon T. Stewart, ESPN Stats & Info | ESPN.com
Derick E. Hingle/US Presswire
Quarterback A.J. McCarron is one of eight offensive starters returning in 2012.
Spring is a time for renewal. In college football, spring is also the time to look ahead to fall and the upcoming season. Saturday, Alabama holds its annual Golden Flake A-Day Game (ESPN3, 3 ET), which will give its fans a first look at the defending national champions.
Alabama captured its record-breaking ninth national championship of the major poll era in January. Once again, the Crimson Tide are expected to be one of the best teams in the country in 2012. But the Tide have been here before. Will history repeat?
In 2010, Alabama was preseason No. 1 in both The Associated Press and Coaches polls with 11 combined offensive and defensive starters returning from the team that had won the 2009 national title. The problem was the retention breakdown. Bama lost eight starters from a defense that allowed the second-fewest yards (244.1) and points (11.7) per game in the bowl subdivision. With QB Greg McElroy, the RB tandem of Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson and WR Julio Jones, the belief was that the Tide would score points and win games through their offense while buying enough time for their defense to jell.
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.