Another true freshman will get a chance at linebacker for Alabama, and it’s one that Nick Saban could not keep off the field.
He was not an early enrollee, but his physical traits (6-2/244) and willingness to make plays has landed Christian Harris the starting job at weakside linebacker.
The four-star from University Lab School in Baton Rouge, La., will line up next to Dylan Moses and per Saban, Harris won the position based on how he performed throughout fall practice – despite the five-man race.
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“We just felt like after two scrimmages, the way he played… He was the guy that would give us the best chance long-term to develop that position,” Saban said of Harris.
“He’s a very aggressive player. Sometimes, you have to make decisions with young players, even though they may not have a total understanding of doing everything exactly like you would like for them to do it… But, their ability to make plays and their want to in terms of learning how to do it and developing is going to allow them to make the improvements they need to make.”
Saban said there’s still competition going on, but he likes Harris.
Moses, a Baton Rouge native, said the freshman reminds him of himself.
“He just plays football,” Moses said of Harris.
“That’s one thing I notice at practice in fall camp and that is what grasped the coaches attention as well. He’s just playing. He’s not thinking about anything. Even if he messes up, he is still going. It reminded me of me when I was a freshman, because there were times when I did think too much. Even with me thinking too much, I would still go 100 percent and that’s what got me my starting job. He just plays hard.”
Regardless of him not playing linebacker in high school, Harris ball skills as a defensive back and wide receiver will suit him perfectly at the second level on defense.
Effort moves Saban.
The trio of All-Americans in Rolando McClain, Dont’a Hightower and C.J. Mosley might have not been completely ready to start as freshmen, but all gave effort.
Following the Crimson Tide’s second preseason scrimmage, Saban said players must give 100 percent of what they have.
Harris has been doing it since high school and it won the team over.
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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.
