TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Swiss Army Knife, huh?

The term drew a little chuckle from Alabama head coach Nick Saban on Monday when he was asked about Josh Jacobs and the versatility the junior running back brings to the backfield.

“He’s a very versatile player,” Saban said after a brief laugh. “He’s done a really good job in the return game, on kickoff return. He’s always been a diverse guy as a running back. He’s a really good receiver, runs really good routes. He’s difficult to cover. He’s explosive as a runner and he’s got power. He can make you miss. He’s also a very good blocker.

“And he’s one of the best special teams players, besides being a return guy. Maybe people don’t notice that he is one of our best special teams players and contributes and never ever asks to come out. So, Josh Jacobs has really made a significant contribution in a lot of different ways to our team, some you probably notice but some you probably don’t.”

Through six games, Jacobs is fourth on the Crimson Tide roster with 413 all-purpose running yards. Only Jerry Jeudy (558), Jaylen Waddle (512) and Damien Harris (479) have more, and Waddle and Jacobs have earned some of their yardage as Alabama’s return men.

Jacobs has returned five kickoffs for 200 yards and a touchdown this season. If opposing teams did not kick it away from him, the junior tailback’s average (40.0) would lead the nation. Alas, a player must have a minimum of 1.2 kickoff returns per game played to be eligible.

Alabama running back Josh Jacobs

“He’s a really dangerous special teams guy,” senior tight end Hale Hentges said. “He had the big touchdown against Louisville, and he makes great kickoff returns all the time.

“Not only that but he's a phenomenal blocker. You’ll see him in our two-running back sets or something of that nature and he’s always willing to throw a block for his teammates and go the extra yard. He’s always just doing the dirty work. He’s really a jack-of-all-trades guy. He can catch, run, he could probably pass, too, because he played quarterback in high school.

“He can do it all.”

Although he is fourth on the team in carries (34) and rushing yards (147), Jacobs’ six rushing touchdowns leads Alabama’s running game at the midway point of the season. He also leads the running backs in receiving yards per play (13.20) on five catches for 66 yards.

He has been known to make defenders miss, but it seems like this season, the 5-foot-10, 216-pound tailback has been just as likely to try to run through a defensive player than around him.

“It’s hard because he is really swift, quick, fast,” sophomore linebacker Dylan Moses said about facing Jacobs in practice. “He’s strong and he’s stalky too, so you know you really have to come with your A-game every time in practice or else he will run you over.”

Swiss Army Knife. Jack of all trades. Whatever you want to call him, Jacobs has made the most out of his touches, and his teammates want to see him get more in the second half of 2018.

“Josh is an electrifying player,” senior running back Damien Harris said. “We know any time we get the ball in his hands he has the ability to make an explosive play and just do something that can really change the dynamic of our offense. So, we really need to get him the ball as much as we possibly can.”

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).

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