4G
IRON BOWL 2014
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THE TUSCALOOSA NEWS
cover story
Undervalued
Leader T.J. Yeldon is one of the most prolific running backs in Alabama history, yet he rarely gets the credit or accolades he deserves By Aaron Suttles | sports writer
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staff photo | laura chramer
here remains something to be said for T.J. Yeldon. Truth be told, there’s a lot remaining to be said for and about the University of Alabama’s junior running back, an enigmatic and underappreciated player who’d just as soon run through a patch of saw briars as stand in front of a camera or a microphone and answer questions in which he sees no value. For that, and a multitude of other reasons, Yeldon remains one of the most unassuming and minimized stars in the Crimson Tide’s vast history. As friends and families across the country gather to give thanks this holiday season, Alabama fans would be wise to show some love to Yeldon, who, despite production that puts him with the greats in school history, somehow fails to receive his due for a variety of factors. Yeldon is the bike in the backyard, solid and reliable, even after years of use, while everyone stares longingly at the wrapped, unknown and unproven shiny new ride under the tree. As a freshman in 2012, Yeldon got a bit of shine, rushing for more yards than any true freshman running back ever at Alabama. Even then, though, he was behind Eddie Lacy, a gifted back who went on to win NFL Rookie of the Year honors. A year later it was Yeldon’s show, but fans and media couldn’t contain their excitement, anxious to get a peak at what then-freshman jumbo back Derrick Henry had under the hood. Even as he set his sights on a career rushing record going into his junior year, the focus seemed to skip over Yeldon onto Henry and turbocharged backfield mate Kenyan Drake. With at least two, and possibly four games remaining this season and potentially in his collegiate career, now is the time to give thanks for all that Timothy Yeldon Jr., known to all as simply T.J., has accomplished and given Alabama during his three years. See Yeldon | 5G