Mark Ingram ranks his top five Alabama running backs in the NFL over the last 20 years

Alabama is a running back factory. As one of its top products, Mark Ingram recently ranked the top five Alabama running backs in the NFL in the past two decades.

Ingram has the resumé to back up his claims. He was the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 1,658 yards in 2009. In the same season, Ingram boosted the Crimson Tide to a win in the 2010 BCS National Championship.

Despite being hobbled by injuries in the following season, he declared for the NFL draft and was selected in the first round, 28th overall, by the New Orleans Saints. Ingram is just one of the 44 first-round picks head coach Nick Saban has produced at Alabama. Ingram ranked the following players based on their careers in the NFL.

1. Mark Ingram

Any true competitor saw this coming. There was no way Ingram was putting his fellow Alabama stars over himself, and perhaps he shouldn’t. Ingram II had a fantastic 12-season NFL career, totaling 8,111 rushing yards, 2,125 yards receiving, and 75 total touchdowns.

For his efforts, Ingram would be named to three Pro Bowls. Additionally, Ingram is the New Orleans Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns. On July 6, Ingram officially retired from the NFL and will join FOX Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” cast for the upcoming college football season.

2. Derrick Henry

All will bow for King Henry… Unless you’re making the list. Nonetheless, Ingram has high praise for the Tennessee Titans RB. In seven years in the NFL, Henry has 8,335 rushing yards, 78 touchdowns and averages 4.8 yards per carry.

In 2019 and 2020, Henry was an unstoppable force, earning Pro Bowls in both seasons. In 2020 alone, the 6-foot-3 locomotive rushed for 2,000 yards, one of only eight players ever in a single season. Henry was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2020, as well.

3. Josh Jacobs

Josh Jacobs is the youngest player yet on Ingram’s list. Nonetheless, he’s already made a name for himself. Drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jacobs already has amassed 4,740 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns.

To pile on, Jacobs is only getting better. Last season, Jacobs busted out career-highs in rushing and receiving yards. Deservedly so, the NFL named Jacobs a Pro Bowler for the second time in his young career and All-Pro for the first time.

4. Najee Harris

Harris is off to a blazing start in his professional career. The 6-foot-1 powerhouse made the Pro Bowl in his rookie year. While Harris didn’t repeat an appearance in his sophomore effort, he recorded similar statistics.

Last season, Harris recorded just under 200 yards less than in his first-year effort while putting up the same number of touchdowns. Harris is also a fantastic receiver, boasting nearly 700 receiving yards for six touchdowns in his 34 career games.

5. Kenyan Drake

Kenyan Drake rounded out Ingram’s star-studded list. Although Drake is yet to make a Pro Bowl, he’s had no shortage of professional experience. In just seven years in the league, Drake has played for four teams.

Dashing past opponents with blinding speed, Drake has 3,866 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in his career. The Las Vegas Raiders released Drake in the offseason after one year with the organization. The Alabama legend is currently a free agent.

For the fans who disagree with Ingram’s list, he doesn’t blame you. The 33-year-old former running back immediately named other former Alabama stars following his list. A few of the names that initially slipped his mind were Eddie Lacy, Damien Harris and Shaun Alexander.