Alabama Football: Tide Won't Miss a Beat as Life After Trent Richardson Begins

Alabama fans are going to have a hard time noticing that RB Trent Richardson ever left. For most schools, replacing a player as productive as Richardson is a daunting task, and it does not reside in the realm of realistic possibilities. For Alabama, it is just business as usual. 

The Tide are loaded at running back. So much so that replacing the 2,017 yards from scrimmage he gained is not only a possibility, but a likelihood. 

This isn't going to happen with one player. The Tide will have to feature more of a running back by committee than they featured last year, and they will have plenty of talent in that committee. 

Here is a look at some of the players who will fill the void created by Richardson's departure.

Eddie Lacy

Soon-to-be-junior running back Lacy is a battle tested backup that is ready to take over the starting duties. Lacy doesn't bring anything jaw dropping to the table. He isn't going to juke people out of their cleats or run over them and leave them flat on their back. 

What he is going to do is run north and south, hit the holes and make the subtle moves to pick up yards. 

In his two years at Alabama, Lacy has 151 carries for 1080 yards. That is good for an average of 7.2 yards per carry. That is getting the job done right there. 

That average is sure to drop off as he takes over the starting role, but he is still set to be an extremely productive back. 

He is also going to benefit from this next guy wearing the defense down. 

Jalston Fowler

At 6'1" and 245 pounds, running back Jalston Fowler, who will be a junior next year, is a load to bring down. Fowler is obviously a candidate for short yardage situations, but he should not be limited to that. This is a guy that can be effective on any down or situation. 

Last season Fowler carried the rock 56 times for 385 yards. That is good for a 6.9 yards per carry average. 

Fowler is ready for a much larger role in this offense, and he will not only produce, but wear down the defenders to make life easier for his teammates. 

Blake Sims

Sims had just 22 attempts for 107 yards as a redshirt freshman last season as he was buried on the depth chart. 

He will get more of an opportunity this season. Sims is a former high school quarterback that is still learning the position. 

He is another back that is going to run straight ahead and consistently get positive yards. Unless he really emerges, he won't get a ton of carries, but he is a wonderful third option.