Brian Robinson Jr. on fellow RB Trey Sanders: 'That guy's tough'

After Alabama running back Roydell Williams suffered a knee injury on Saturday likely to sideline him for the remainder of the season, Alabama will have just two scholarship running backs for the rest of the 2021 campaign: Brian Robinson Jr. and Trey Sanders.

Sanders, a redshirt sophomore, is now the clear No. 2 back behind Robinson. The Crimson Tide will rely heavily on him as they enter late-season crunch time and try to make a push for the College Football Playoff.

His fellow scholarship running back paid him a few compliments following his New Mexico State performance, which included 12 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown.

“That guy is tough,” Robinson said after the 59-3 win over New Mexico State. “He’s overcome some big-time situations in his life. He’s just stayed positive, kept his head down, kept working. Trust it.”

As a true freshman, Sanders received a medical redshirt after tearing his ACL in preseason camp. Last season, his sophomore campaign, Sanders played in four games before bye week car wreck ended his season early.

“I just let him know you never really know when your opportunity is going to come,” Robinson added. “You just have to prepare yourself for it all throughout the week. So when you get a chance to carry the ball [for a] career high, you’re ready for it. You fulfill the moment. That’s the biggest thing with Trey, just keeping him motivated and keep moving him in the right direction.”

Sanders had yet to eclipse 10 carries this season prior to Saturday, and he scored his first touchdown since scoring against Miami on Sept. 4. Twelve carries tied his career high.

Alabama was already missing running backs Jase McClellan and Camar Wheaton prior to the New Mexico State game. Linebacker Demouy Kennedy and wide receiver Christian Leary had seven and three carries, respectively, against the Aggies as Alabama gets other players in the mix at running back in the event of another injury. 

Saban: ‘I think he’s got a great opportunity’

On Monday, Alabama head coach Nick Saban laid out his expectations for Sanders.

“I think he’s got a great opportunity,” Saban said. “I thought he played well in the game. It was good to get him some touches in the game.”

Sanders has a wealth of talent at his disposal. The Florida native out of IMG Academy was the second-best running back in the 2019 class, per On3. He was the No. 15 player nationally.

“I think he understands the offense well, and I think he’s a very capable guy,” Saban added. “Now that he’s going to have a more significant role, it’s time for him to take advantage of that opportunity as well. But we have every confidence that he can do that very well for us.”

The Crimson Tide finish their regular season with Arkansas and Auburn. If they win one of their final two games, they will head to Atlanta to face Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 4. 

Arkansas-Alabama kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. The Crimson Tide are a 21-point favorite.