After the confetti was swept up, the lights were dimmed out, and the storylines were written there was much being said about the sensational, true-freshman quarterback from Hawaii. While he certainly deserved every ounce of praise he received, Tua Tagovailoa was not the only breakout freshman of the game.
One of 2017’s most prized recruits was the five-star running back from Antioch, California, Najee Harris. It came down to Alabama and Michigan to land him at the end, and nobody was sure where he was leaning until he was seen at an Alabama airport. Many believed Harris would come in and immediately take over a large share of the carries, but with so much depth in the backfield he was only given a total of 61 carries – many of which came in garbage time.
Facing a deficit against Georgia in the national championship game, Nick Saban and Brian Daboll began to make some changes. One of those changes was giving the fresh-legged Najee Harris some playing time. Harris answered the bell by turning in his best game since the blowout of Vanderbilt in week four.
On just six carries he helped flip the game in Alabama’s favor. Down ten points in the fourth quarter, Harris’ runs of 16 and 35 yards led the Tide down the field for a field goal that would bring the game to within just a touchdown. His 64 total yards led the team in rushing yards.
More than even just his production, it was – not to sound cheesy – the ‘grace’ and balance he runs with that set him apart from the other backs. At a healthy 6-2, 225 pounds, Harris is far from your typical speed back, but you wouldn’t know that from his tape. Derrick Henry has long been a popular comparison with their comparable sizes, but their running styles differ greatly. While Henry was a bruiser with surprising speed, Harris’ speed is not all that deceptive because, despite his size, he is not the bulky guy that Henry was.
It is hard to find a comparison fit for Najee Harris. That is not to say he is ‘one of a kind’ or even that he is going to have a lasting legacy in Tuscaloosa by the time he leaves, but more so that nobody quite checks all the same boxes he does. For example, on his 35 yard scamper it appeared for all intents and purposes that he was going to fall after making contact with a Georgia defender, but within two steps forward he had regained his balance and continued downfield:
Najee Harris 31-yard run. Clutch performer in this game. pic.twitter.com/9HHj2SXcuI
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) January 9, 2018
With such a small sample size and such high expectations it is easy to want to jump to conclusions before his career really picks up. However, it is fair to say that his breakout game was exactly what the Tide needed and could be a huge sign of things to come. Damien Harris will be returning next year along with a healthy Joshua Jacobs, but expect Najee’s carry numbers to skyrocket under new offensive coordinator, Mike Locksley.
