Mark Ingram is preparing to go where only one former Alabama running back has been – into a 10th NFL season.

Johnny Davis preceded Ingram to that achievement. Davis played in one game in his 10th and final NFL campaign. Ingram is coming off a Pro Bowl performance for the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 and isn’t planning on stopping at 10 seasons.

“I’m just blessed and thankful the Lord has my body feeling this way,” Ingram said during a video press conference on Tuesday. “I’m with a great team that takes care of me, and I feel like I can play this game at a high level -- at the highest level -- for at least another four or five years. I feel like that. I honestly do. My body feels good. I’m moving good. I have nothing really lagging. If I do, I’ll be working on it, rehabbing it, strengthening it up so all my weaknesses are turning into my strengths.

“I just want to be the best, man. I want to be one of the best. When you talk about running backs who had long, prestigious careers, I want to be in that discussion. I want to be talked about that way. I just want to be the best player that I can be. I want to win championships, and I want to do it at a high level, and I feel like I can do that for a long time. So, God willing, I have health and all that.

“But, yes, it's not to prove anybody wrong, but it's basically to prove everyone who believed in me all this time right. And myself, I have goals for myself, man, so I'm chasing them really hard, and I just feel like I'm going to keep getting better with the experience, with the knowledge and how I'm training and taking care of my body mentally, physically, emotionally.”

An All-State player for Sidney Lanier in Montgomery in 1973, Davis led Alabama in rushing yards in 1975, 1976 and 1977 as a wishbone fullback. During Davis’ four seasons, the Crimson Tide posted a 42-6 overall record and 24-2 conference mark and won three SEC championships.

Davis entered the NFL as a second-round draft selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – the 30th player picked in 1978. Transformed into a blocking fullback, Davis helped clear the way for 1,000-yard rushing seasons by Ricky Bell, Mike Pruitt, Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack.

Davis had 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns on 314 rushing attempts and 106 yards on 22 receptions in 119 NFL regular-season games. In 1981, Davis ran for 297 yards and seven touchdowns on 94 carries for the San Francisco 49ers, who won Super Bowl XVI that season.

Ingram led Alabama in rushing yards in 2009 and 2010. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2009, when Alabama captured the BCS national championship with an undefeated season.

Ingram entered the NFL as a first-round draft selection of the New Orleans Saints – the 28th player picked in 2011. Ingram has been a Pro Bowler three times and recorded three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He did both in 2019.

THE ALL-TIME ALL-SEC NFL DRAFT FIRST ROUND

Ingram has 7,025 yards and 60 touchdowns on 1,523 rushing attempts and 1,845 yards and 10 touchdowns on 254 receptions in 121 NFL regular-season games.

Ingram has maintained a structured offseason program to help him endure nine NFL seasons. This offseason, the coronavirus pandemic has affected his routine and challenged his workout schedule for his 10th NFL campaign.

“Just finding space where you can still have social distancing, still be able to work hard, still be able to get your work in, whether it’s some empty grass somewhere, a garage, backyard,” Ingram said. “I got some step-up boxes, a spin bike, dumbbells. One of my good friends has some space in his backyard, a basketball court, so I could do some plyometric things and drills, ladder drills, things like that.

“I think you just need to be creative, be safe, still be able to have that social-distancing aspect of it, still be able to get your work in and prepare yourself physically. That's what I'm doing -- just being creative and finding different ways to be able to get your work in."

In a normal offseason, the Ravens could start their offseason program on Monday. But Ingram will be home with his four children instead.

"Man, it’s crazy,” Ingram said. “They’re just always full of energy, so we have to find ways just to keep them occupied and keep them busy -- obviously, keep them learning. We go on a family walk every day, so the two oldest, they ride their little bikes 3 miles, and the two small ones ride in the stroller. When we get home, they swim, ride their bikes, scooters, play in the house and watch (stuff) on their iPad sometimes -- iPad time is crucial, so we can have our sanity a little bit during the day and have a little quiet time. It’s great. I just try to look at it as a positive, and I get to spend a lot of time with them right now, so that makes me happy. …

"I get up early and go get my work in, so when I leave the house, the house is kind of quiet. I try to get my work in and get back home before they are up and functioning. But when I get home, they are wired and ready to go. My wife does a great job. She's awesome. My sister is here, so a few extra hands definitely helps. I'm still able to get my work in and still able to be daddy daycare, as well.”

The NFL and the NFL Players’ Association worked out a plan this week for a virtual offseason that will allow online classroom instruction and workouts. Teams with new coaches can start on Monday, and the rest of the league can follow on April 27.

“We all have to find ways to deal with the situation that we’re in,” Ingram said, “so I think it’s a good idea, given the circumstances that everybody is under."

Ingram said if all on-the-field offseason work is wiped out, the season wouldn’t be negatively affected if training camps open on time.

“Just the normal training camp period -- I think that’s a good amount of time,” Ingram said. “It has to be something around that -- three, four, five weeks. The preseason and three or four weeks. Teams just being together, going through training camp and being able to scrimmage other teams and play against other teams, I think all of that is crucial to the camaraderie of a team and the development of your players on the team. I think it’s all necessary in order to prepare yourself mentally, physically, individually and collectively to have a successful season.”

San Francisco 49ers fullback Johnny Davis breaks through the New Orleans Saints’ defense to score a touchdown during an NFL game on Sept. 27, 1981, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.

MORE NFL:

· Quinnen Williams helping feed front-line medical workers

· Former Titans backup values bond with Derrick Henry

· Change at QB won’t change Patriots’ process, Bill Belichick says

· Prattville kicker Austin MacGinnis getting NFL opportunity

· Cornerback Neiko Thorpe rejoins Seattle Seahawks

· Former NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson killed in traffic accident

· Phenix City’s J.D. McKissic joins Washington’s Alabama prep squad

· Only one question matters for Tua Tagovailoa, NFL Draft

· The All-Time All-SEC NFL Draft First Round

· What’s the right number of carries for Titans’ Derrick Henry?

· Arizona Cardinals ready for a full season of Kenyan Drake

· Eagles safety Rudy Ford provides meals during coronavirus crisis

· Drew Brees headed to NBC Sports after playing career

· Cornerback Saivion Smith gets NFL opportunity

· 58 players to participate virtually in 2020 NFL Draft

· Don’t label Jameis Winston a bust, Bucs GM says

· Tua Tagovailoa holds virtual pro day

· Cowboys interview NFL Draft prospects Marlon Davidson, Raekwon Davis

· How many Auburn players have been picked in the NFL Draft?

· How many Alabama players have been picked in the NFL Draft?