It quickly became evident that Josh Jacobs of Alabama was breaking free from any preconceived notions. In a team filled with highly touted players, Jacobs, once considered an afterthought in the impressive 2016 Alabama lineup, stood out. Despite not being the first choice, he seized his opportunities with remarkable skill.
While sophomore standouts Bo Scarbrough, a former five-star recruit, and Damien Harris, a former four-star talent and top of his class, were expected to dominate the playing time, Jacobs emerged as a dynamic force on the field. His ability to both run the ball effectively and catch passes out of the backfield set him apart.
Jacobs displayed a natural talent for receiving and showed fearlessness in contributing on special teams, whether returning kicks or making crucial tackles. As a newcomer to the team, he made significant impacts early on, starting with an impressive performance against USC and maintaining his momentum throughout the season.
He earned recognition as the SEC Freshman of the Week after rushing for 100 yards against Kentucky and was named the coaching staff’s player of the week three times, twice for his offensive contributions and once for his special teams play. Finishing the season with 567 rushing yards and four touchdowns, Jacobs also led all running backs in receiving yards with 156.
As the season progressed and his skills continued to blossom, Jacobs’ potential became apparent. By his sophomore year, he was seen as a pivotal player on the team, so much so that even Alabama’s top-ranked defense struggled to contain him in practice. Jacobs’ ability to break tackles and make game-changing plays made him a standout performer.
