It seems like longer, but the 2016 season ended only a week and a day ago. And while the dust still settles around Alabama’s 14-1 (8-0 SEC) season, we, much like Nick Saban’s 24-hour rule, set our sights to the future and what’s in store for 2017.

We continue our Offseason Outlook series that will highlight the state of each position group, breaking down the outgoing, returning and incoming players at each spot and attempt to predict which players will step into starting roles next season.

Next up is the running back position.

WHO'S LEAVING?

Redshirt sophomore Derrick Gore (transfer)

Barring another transfer, Alabama will only lose a walk-on running back this offseason, although it is a stellar walk-on. Gore rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in 11 games and filled a role on special teams this past season, as well as served as a scout-team player, at least in the early goings.

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Gore and fellow walk-on Lawrence Erekosima will not be returning to Tuscaloosa this fall, but every scholarship tailback, as well as a couple of new faces, will be back in the fold. What was once thought to be a weak link in terms of depth on Alabama’s roster will now be one of its returning strengths.

WHO'S COMING BACK?

Rising redshirt junior Ronnie Clark, rising junior Damien Harris, rising junior Bo Scarbrough, rising sophomore Josh Jacobs and rising sophomore B.J. Emmons

Running back will be one of the deepest position groups for Alabama in 2017 because of the number of returnees, alone. Even before sustaining a broken fibula in the national title game, Scarbrough voiced his decision to return for his third season with the Crimson Tide -- and fourth out of high school.

He will join one of the 11 1,000-yard rushers in the SEC this year in Harris, but Harris’ successful rushing campaign was one of the most unnoticed because of the play of both Scarbrough and quarterback Jalen Hurts down the final stretch of the season. But the pair of juniors will be back, as well as two sophomores.

Jacobs was one of the top surprises in 2016, as he was the No. 2 back for most of the season behind Harris. He rushed for 567 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshmen. Emmons should also add another horse to the stable after healing from a foot injury that required surgery and ended his year early.

Needless to say, Burton Burns and play-caller Steve Sarkisian will have another loaded arsenal of explosive weapons to work with -- with more on the way -- out of the backfield.

WHO'S COMING IN?

Five-star running back Najee Harris, four-star running back Brian Robinson

Harris is already on campus as an early enrollee and gives Alabama a third, five-star prospect at the position. Listed at 6-foot-2, 224 pounds, the Calif. native is comparable to Scarbrough in size (6-foot-2, 228 pounds) and has the tools to be an every-down back. The Tide, however, has the luxury of not needing him to be that in the early portions of his career, although it will be difficult to keep the highest-rated player to ever sign at UA off the field this fall.

All of that was said to say this: don’t sleep on Robinson. The Tuscaloosa product is only an inch shorter than Harris and is the same weight. With a duo of elite freshmen set to join the fray this offseason, the future is bright once again for Alabama’s running game.

WHO COULD STEP UP?

The way Scarbrough ended the 2016 season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him step into the starting role this fall. The same, however, can be said for Harris, who was the Tide’s starting tailback for most of the season and was the only running back to eclipse 1,000 yards and 145 carries in 2016.

But there are a bunch of mouths to feed behind the eldest running backs and only so many touches to spread around. Could we see another departure in the coming months? That remains to be seen. But regardless of if that happens, Alabama will have 5-6 healthy and quality backs to work with for next season. It’s a good problem for any program to have.

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