As we hit the summer portion of the offseason, Touchdown Alabama Magazine will release a series of player spotlight pieces on starters and marquee contributors for the 2019 football season. In these articles, we will dive into the strengths and weaknesses of each player, provide expectations for 2019, give NFL Draft projections for those who are eligible, and conclude with how each one can impact the team.
The second offensive player is Najee Harris.
Najee Harris’ attributes
-Position: Running Back
-Classification: Junior
-Height/Weight: 6-2/227
-2018 stats: 117 carries, 783 yards, 4 TD’s
Strengths
-Size
-Athleticism
-Speed
Summary: Other than Derrick Henry, Najee Harris had a “larger than life” aura proceed him to the University of Alabama from high school. Harris was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2017 recruiting class via Rivals and Scout networks, while boasting a five-star rating from Antioch, Calif.
He was the top player in the state of California and ranked No. 11 on the ESPN 300.
After posting the fourth-most career rushing yards in California high school history – 7,948 – Harris has been an impactful player through two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He finished behind Damien Harris in rushing last year with 783 yards and four touchdowns on 117 carries.
Part of his production, especially with him having a team-high 6.69 yards per carry, comes from his physical build at 6-foot-2 and 227 pounds. In carrying the muscle mass of the Tide’s 2015 Heisman winner, Harris is hard to tackle in space and is not easily taken down upon contact.
RELATED: 2019 Player Spotlight: QB Tua Tagovailoa
Despite his size, the 2015 “Mr. Football” of California possesses a running style that resembles former Alabama standout, Eddie Lacy.
Lacy’s signature spin move and hurdling abilities made him a fan favorite, and Harris brings both traits to his game. The third piece to Harris’ arsenal of athleticism is a nasty stiff arm. He will use it to either create extra yards or power in for scores.
Alabama likes a combination of guys with either power or speed; however, one that provides both spells complete package. Upon reaching the second and third levels of a defense, Harris moves into a different gear and it becomes very difficult to get an angle on him for a tackle.
Weaknesses
-Indecisive
-East/West runner
-Upright running style
Summary: Some of it was probably due to having Joe Pannunzio at running backs’ coach versus Burton Burns, but Najee Harris had a tendency of being indecisive in 2018.
When the football touches the hand of a back, the player must already have a decision on which hole or lane it will press. Its body is turned toward the area and it is prepared to battle.
Harris would see the holes open in front of him, and whether it was him not trusting what he saw or fearing the offensive line would not keep the lane available, he stretched plays far too outside.
Burns, who coached the position from 2007 to 2017, had subtle technique to help runners when they felt as though the front line was not getting a push. He had the backs push on the back or buttock of the lineman and fall forward to gain yards. With the hiring of Charles Huff, formerly of Mississippi State, look for Burns to teach him the trait and coach Harris to a monster season.
Another step in Harris’ growth is becoming a north/south runner.
His indecisiveness also causes him to have “happy feet.” Instead of cutting inside the guard or tackle to gain yardage, Harris finds himself goes around both tackles. Regardless of this working at some points, it leads to loss of yardage and a frustrated Nick Saban more times than not.
As good as T.J. Yeldon was during his time in Tuscaloosa, Ala., his upright running style would literally drive fans crazy. Much his fumbles and plays where he was stopped short of first down access was due to him being too upright, which exposed his body to hits and the ball to be lost.
For Harris, he has to bring his pad level with him when he runs.
He can be a little too finesse at times, and needs more power.
Expectations for 2019
Since the Tide did not have a 1,000-yard rusher last year for the first time since 2014, Harris’ primary expectation is to have 1,000+ yards.
He will share carries with Brian Robinson Jr., nevertheless, Alabama had a season in 2012 where it boasted a pair of 1,000-yard backs.
Balance is crucial on offense.
While it is nice to have quick strike drives from Tua Tagovailoa, Saban also wants some soul-crushing drives worked in.
He desires to have his offensive unit control the tempo, dictate to the opposing defense and wear it down.
The best way to have this is getting Harris the ball as much as possible and have him confidently run behind a group that will be an exceptional unit.
NFL Draft 2020 Projections
Najee Harris: Second Round
Harris’ competition: D’Andre Swift (Georgia), Travis Etienne (Clemson), Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin), J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State) and Trey Sermon (Oklahoma)
Conclusion
After waiting behind Damien Harris and Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris will get his chance to be a major star next season. He has the tools to be successful, but he has to put everything together.
Robinson and true freshman Trey Sanders will push along with others, yet it should make Harris stronger and further prepare him to join the ranks of other backs that came through Alabama.
Fall camp cannot get here fast enough for Tide fans.
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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.
