As he intends to provide the press with a strong interview at Southeastern Conference media days, Alabama running back Damien Harris started today strong in being one of 62 guys named to the preseason Doak Walker Award watch list – according to the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.
Harris, a two-year starter, is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
He recorded 1,000 yards on the nose in 2017 with 11 touchdowns on 7.4 yards per carry, while turning in seven 100-yard rushing performances in his career.
In matchups versus Texas A&M and Arkansas, Harris accounted for a pair of 75-yard scores and his 151-yard performance with three scores against Vanderbilt earned him SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Named after former Southern Methodist University running back, Doak Walker, the Doak Walker honor is presented annually to the nation’s premiere running back for his accomplishments on the field, achievement in the classroom and citizenship in the community.
The Kentucky native is currently chasing history at Alabama, as he can become the first back to total three straight 1,000-yard campaigns. Along with desiring to set a record, Harris returned to Tuscaloosa in search to obtain his degree and develop a higher NFL draft stock.
Despite Nick Saban’s process of wanting to rotate his players, Harris has shown the consistency in being one of the better backs in the SEC. Even with the race between Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa dominating offseason conversations, whomever wins the job knows it has a workhorse in Harris.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
