Kenyan Drake, Laquon Treadwell Seek on-Field Glory After Shared off-Field Agony

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — As far as University of Alabama senior Kenyan Drake was concerned, there was no better time to show that he was back and able to take a hit than this team’s opening kickoff for the 2015 season.

He fielded it at about the four-yard line of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, hesitated at about the 20 and was then promptly dropped by two Wisconsin players. Although he would have preferred a touchdown, getting tackled had probably never felt so good as it was his first play since suffering the horrific leg fracture and dislocated ankle against Ole Miss in 2014.

“It was great, obviously,” Drake said. “I haven’t played since October of last year, so it was kind of nerve-wracking initially, but the butterflies kind of went away. It was good to be back out there with my teammates playing.”

It was important milestone of his injury comeback, but Saturday night figures to be another when Alabama squares off against Ole Miss again, this time at Bryant-Denny Stadium (8:15 p.m. CT, ESPN).

Like usual, a lot will be on the line when the two SEC West teams meet, and Alabama will be looking to avenge its only regular-season loss from last season. But it’ll also be extra special for Drake and the other player on the field who went through essentially the exact same thing, Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell.

His injury occurred a few weeks later on the same Vaught-Hemingway Stadium turf while racing for what should have been a game-winning touchdown against Auburn only to be pulled down from behind by linebacker Kris Frost. In addition to the force of the tackle jerking Treadwell’s arm back so the ball never reached the goal line, Frost landed on his planted left leg.

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“I felt the grab, and when I felt the grab my body locked up,” Treadwell said. “Previous teams playing sports I was brought down from behind, and I always told myself if I’m going to get hurt it’s going to be from getting pulled down from behind. It ended up happening. “

Treadwell called it a “devastating game, a devastating play. I didn’t really believe it happened at the time.” Meanwhile, if the emotions of Treadwell’s injury weren’t overwhelming enough, the call was reviewed. He had been attended to and carted off and was under the stands when the announcement was made that the play ended in a lost fumble.

“When it got overruled, I broke down because I knew this team wanted the playoffs, the fanbase wanted the playoffs, everybody wanted the playoffs,” he said. “That was my biggest motive at the time.”

Treadwell told Michael Casagrande of AL.com this week that Drake was among those who reached out to him after his injury, and the two have since struck up an unusual friendship. It’s not a club one goes looking to join, but they’ve helped each other nonetheless during their rehab and long, exhausting comebacks.

 “There was nothing for me to do but grow, physically and mentally,” Drake said about how the experience has affected him. “Other people have told me that they’ve seen it.”

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In many ways their resurgence has mirrored one another. Both had coaches who were cautious with their recoveries, the extensive rehab made them arguably stronger than ever before and teammates swear that they might even be faster and/or quicker (Treadwell said he’s “absolutely” quicker).

They’ve also had no trouble watching the play in which they were injured.

“I see it all the time,” Treadwell said. “Before I got hurt I didn’t like seeing injuries like that, and then once it happened to me I watched it, and then watched it again…it’s motivation for me.”

So far both are playing like they hardly missed a day.

Against UT Martin and Fresno State, which Ole Miss won by a combined score of 149-24, Treadwell had nine receptions for 117 yards, which leads the team in both statistical categories.

Overall, 14 different Rebels have a caught a pass, and 12 different players have scored touchdowns, although Treadwell and tight end Evan Engram have yet to see the end zone.

Meanwhile, Drake has 16 carries for 117 rushing yards, to go with seven receptions for 139 yards, and has already scored two touchdowns. Factor in his kick returns, and his average of 177.5 all-purpose yards ranks 12th nationally.

Despite his impressive 43-yard touchdown run against Wisconsin, when Drake spun out of the grasp of a defender in the backfield and into open field, Nick Saban thought he was pressing and subsequently sat him down for a talk. 

“I just thought after the first game Kenyan was trying to make a big play every time he got the ball,” the coach said “He was really trying hard, maybe too hard. That was affecting his decision-making, whether he should bring the ball out of the kickoff and how he actually ran the play as it was designed, to press the hole and get out of it what you can get out of it.

“The big plays will come. You have to let the game come to you and I certainly think he was a lot better in this last game, and hopefully he'll be able to build on that.”

Regardless, Alabama is thrilled to have Drake back, just like Ole Miss is with Treadwell. Not only are they probably the most explosive players on their teams, but they're respected team leaders as well.

So before, maybe as team captains, and after Saturday’s game they’ll be looking for one another, but otherwise Drake plans to let his play do the talking for him—and not because Ole Miss safety Trae Elston kicked him in the head when he was down on the ground (and promptly suspended for the next game).

“I’m pretty sure he’s going to have a chip on his shoulder,” junior tight end O.J. Howard said. “Our team will, of course, but especially for him, though, because that was a tough moment for him.”

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer. Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.