When five-star running back Derrick Henry announced his commitment to Alabama in late September, recruiting reporters and analysts around the country all seemed to echo the same phrase: "crowded backfield". With the Crimson Tide already holding verbal commitments from running backs Altee Tenpenny and Tyren Jones, major stars in their own right, many were immediately skeptical that Alabama would be able to hang onto all three prospects until Signing Day.

Others insist that Henry, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound athlete, must be destined to play some position other than running back at the next level, despite breaking Florida high school records as a ball carrier.

Then there's the fact that Alabama has already lined up five different scholarship players at running back this season, all of whom will still be eligible to play next season.

These points are being echoed by recruiting writers, analysts, and perhaps most importantly, by opposing coaches on the recruiting trail.

"Some would call this negative recruiting but to be honest it's just the nature of the beast," said BamaOnline recruiting editor Tim Watts. "I imagine it goes on at pretty much every position because Nick Saban and his staff have put together several highly-rated classes in a row."

It's obviously good for Saban and Alabama to have as many talented running backs on the roster as possible. The unit has already lost two players for the season due to injury and yet won't likely miss a beat thanks to Alabama's almost absurd depth at running back.

But is it beneficial for the individual players themselves to be a part of such a loaded depth chart?

The prevailing opinion seems to be that Saban simply can't keep multiple star running backs happy enough to hang around and share the same backfield. While there are still around four months until National Signing Day, all three of Alabama's 2013 running back commits have publicly stated their intentions to follow through on their commitment and sign with the Tide, despite the crowded depth chart.

"The news of Henry committing wasn't a surprise to Tyren Jones or Altee Tenpenny," said Watts. "They were all made aware of the situation beforehand and where they fit into the overall plan."

So why are these highly-touted prospects, all of whom could have the potential to start at a number of BCS conference programs, willing to share the ball at Alabama rather than own the spotlight at another school?

Perhaps it's because recent history suggests that going it alone may not be the best route to stardom for a running back. Alabama's own dynamic duo of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson has become a major example for Saban and his staff to point to when it comes to convincing recruits that sharing the ball can be better for both players but it's hardly the only example worth mentioning.

Auburn's Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown took the Tigers to heights they had rarely seen before. Arkansas won the SEC West thanks to Darren McFadden's unique partnership with Felix Jones. "Thunder & Lightning" seemed to be a successful model at USC (Lendale White and Reggie Bush) and Clemson (James Davis and C.J. Spiller) as well.

Sharing carries can help ensure that every time a back carries the ball, he's well-rested and excited to be on the field.

Despite the conventional wisdom that superstar athletes hate sharing the spotlight, it seems that the next generation of star recruits are realizing that sometimes rotating in and out with other star players can make each player's star shine even brighter.