Adam Hunsucker

ahunsucker@thenewsstar.com

ULM’s stable of running backs got deeper with the addition of a transfer from the national champion runner-up Alabama Crimson Tide.

Redshirt junior Derrick Gore has joined the Warhawks and began classes on Wednesday. The 5-11, 210 pound runner is eligible in the fall and has two years to play.

Gore’s biggest contributions at Alabama came on special teams, where he blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown against Florida in the 2016 SEC Championship Game.

Gore only saw limited action playing behind 2015 Heisman Trophy Winner Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake, Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough over the past two seasons and finished his Alabama career with 108 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries.

Ben Luckett was ULM’s leading rusher (120 carries, 450 yards, five touchdowns) in 2016 and returns for his junior season next fall. Junior Thomas Koufie, a JUCO addition from the 2016 signing class,

Gore walked on at Alabama in 2015 and redshirted after playing his first collegiate season at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. He prepped at Nottingham High School in Syracuse, New York and spent a season at Milford Academy in Connecticut.

Gore’s best offers out of high school were from Buffalo and other schools in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), which led him to enroll at Coffeyville.

Gore joins sophomore offensive tackle Eastwood Thomas as the second Alabama player to transfer to ULM under football coach Matt Viator.

Follow Adam on Twitter @adam_hunsucker