Alabama Football: Bama Has Kenyan Drake Commit, a Great Battle Waits

The Crimson Tide can celebrate that two of the most electric running back prospects committed to Alabama when Justin Taylor decided to roll with the Tide, and the very best running back from the state of Georgia decided to also come and tote the rock for the Crimson Tide.

What a nice problem for Nick Saban to have. What a battle for playing time this will turn out to be. Both will be on campus, with Eddie Lacy running the show next year at running back, with Dee Hart more than likely being the number two.

That will leave Taylor and Drake fighting it out with the other running backs for playing time, and what a nice battle it will be.

We have chronicled Taylor's strengths before (click here to see it), and now Drake comes in officially as an athlete but was tapped for his potential as a running back.

In his junior season last year, Drake accounted for nearly 1,200 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns plus another 600 yards and eight touchdowns receiving. Can you imagine what he'll do this year, his last at Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Ga.?

He will no doubt end this year as the state's number one running back prospect. He is now about 6'1'' and 195 pounds and can play running back, slot receiver or just straight up receiver, but it is the prospect of being a running back that has Drake excited about coming to Tuscaloosa.

Other schools were pushing hard for the services of Kenyan Drake, and most thought Ga. Tech had the inside track since Synjyn and Jabari Days, brothers and best friends, not to mention Hillgrove teammates, have already signed with Tech and were pushing hard for Drake to join them.

But in the end, Drake said it was a combination of academics, facilities and coaches that swayed his decision the most. In fact, his commitment speech was almost a recruiting speech an assistant coach would give in glowing over the reasons to come to Alabama.

"I wanted to end my recruitment early and not be distracted anymore." Drake said of his decision to commit early. "And I want to have the time to try and help bring in other top players to join us."

Drake developed a relationship with his main recruiter, Kirby Smart, but was also awed by the kind words that Nick Saban had about his character and drive. He had several visits to Alabama and said each time it felt like a place he could call home.

What more could a coach ask of a recruit?

Perhaps being unselfish? Well, that's Drake too. He told the Georgia Public Broadcasting network, “I want to get in the weight room, especially if I want to play running back.”

Drake also says he must become a better vocal leader in addition to just being a leader on the field. Once a member of the Tide, Drake says he wouldn’t mind if the coaches red-shirted him, but if called upon, he’ll be ready in 2012. “If they want to play me, I can show my skills.”

What about being humble?

Drake says he owes much to the Days brothers for bringing in the recruiters to see them play, and in the process, got noticed himself.

That humbleness is very refreshing, but there's no way that Drake would have gone unnoticed.

This year, it's his turn to lead the team as a senior with both the Days gone, and there's no doubt that this is just another thing that he finds he can do and do well.

If there's anything not to like about this young man, I can't find it and look forward to what he will do with a seasoned, physical line blocking for him.

Alabama seems to be the team where the rich just keep getting richer.