Despite his emotions getting the best of him during last season’s opening matchup versus the University of Southern California, Harrison backed up his talk with game-changing performances throughout 2016.
Although Reuben Foster will be known as “the heat-seeking missile” on defense when he attacks opposition, the Tallahassee (Fla.) native isn’t far behind.
Crimson Spotlight: Ronnie Harrison
Position: Free safety
Number: #15
Classification: Junior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 214 pounds
2016 stats: 85 TKLs, 7 PBUs, 2 QBHs, 2 INTs, 2 TDs
Summary
No hype will be needed for Ronnie Harrison this weekend.
An alumnus of Florida State University School, he was in the backyard of Seminoles’ head coach Jimbo Fisher but chose to come to Alabama. Once a two-way player, the four-star prospect juggled quarterback and safety in high school as his tenure ended with 14 career pass breakups and five interceptions.
Offensively, Harrison compiled 6,419 yards and 57 total touchdowns.
He enrolled in the Crimson Tide’s 2015 signing class, and was one of multiple true freshman that made an immediate impact on a national championship team. Harrison, who then stood at 6-3 and weighed 218 pounds, collected 17 tackles, one sack, six pass breakups and two picks.
The jump between his freshman year and last season was monumental – seeing how he finished second in tackles (85) and had seven pass breakups, two interceptions, two quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and two touchdowns.
As great as he is against the pass, Harrison is an enforcer in run support.
He played a role in Alabama’s defense allowing 64 yards rushing a game. Numerous situations happened when the junior would either line up in the box and sniff the run out, or fly downhill to make a punishing tackle on a running back. He’s part of that “No Fly Zone” for the Crimson Tide that possess ball skills and a sound tackling prowess.
A duplication of his sophomore campaign will no doubt land him in the conversation as one of the best safety prospects in the NFL Draft.
2017 projected stats
88 tackles
3.5 tackles for loss
8 pass breakups
4 interceptions
