With fall camp starting on August 17, the staff for Touchdown Alabama Magazine will release a series a series of player spotlight pieces on starters and marquee contributors for the 2020 football season.
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In these articles, we will dive into the strengths and weaknesses of each player, provide expectations for 2020, give NFL Draft projections for those who are eligible, and conclude with how each one can impact the team.
After Mac Jones, the second offensive player is Najee Harris
Najee Harris
-Position: Running Back
-Classification: Senior
-Height: 6’2″
-Weight: 230 pounds
-2019 stats: 209 carries, 1,224 yards, 13 touchdowns (27 catches, 304 yards, 7 scores)
Strengths
-Size
-Athleticism
-Hands (receiver)
-Contact balance
-Patience
-Summary: He was a big deal upon his arrival to the University of Alabama in 2017, and Najee Harris has an opportunity to punctuate this season on why the Crimson Tide needed him.
Hailing from Antioch, Calif., the former five-star recorded his first career 1,000-yard rushing season (1,224) in 2019 with 13 touchdowns.
He had six 100-yard performances, including four versus Southeastern Conference schools.
Not only did he get better as the season progressed, but he also became more aggressive and decisive with the ball in his hands. This allowed for Nick Saban and Steve Sarkisian to feature him more.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder is as big as most middle linebackers in the National Football League.
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He has the size and contact balance to not be brought down by one defender; however, it is Harris’ athleticism that sets him apart from other running backs. As the former “Mr. Football” from California, Harris possesses a stiff arm, a spin move and a deadly hurdle that had South Carolina fans in disbelief last year. He carries great patience as a back and in Sarkisian’s offense, Harris showed off his hands and route running skills at receiver — totaling 27 receptions for 304 yards with seven scores.
When one initially looks at him, Harris brings the complete package.
He helped the Crimson Tide win a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017 and an SEC Championship in 2018, but he is looking for something more this fall.
Weaknesses
-Aggressiveness
-Speed (elite, breakaway)
-Summary: Although there are not too many weaknesses in Harris’ game, it took a while for him to become aggressive as a runner. He started slow in 2019, cracking his first 100-yard game in week four against Southern Mississippi.
While he posted back-to-back, 100-yard games versus Texas A&M and Tennessee, Harris officially locked in against LSU with 146 yards rushing at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The big thing with him is he must come out the gate strong from start to finish.
Having elite, breakaway speed is another weakness for Harris.
He has not had many long runs, especially long touchdown runs, in his career. He lacks initial burst and quickness upon getting the ball, but he has worked on it during the offseason. Hopefully, his newly acquired speed benefits the team.
Expectations for 2020 season
Najee Harris came back to Alabama for his senior year to achieve big goals.
Along with winning a conference title and a national championship, he wants to be an All-American, capture a host of individual accolades, and be a first-round pick. Harris has his eyes set on being Alabama’s third Heisman Trophy winner.
Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff assured Harris of the opportunities he would get — if he chose to return to school for this season.
NFL Draft 2021 projections
Najee Harris: First Round
Harris’ competition for 2021 NFL Draft: Travis Etienne (Clemson), Chubba Hubbard (Oklahoma State), Trey Sermon (Oklahoma), Kennedy Brooks (Oklahoma), Keaontay Ingram (Texas) and Kylin Hill (Mississippi State)
Conclusion
Even with his late surge in 2019, Najee Harris was projected a third to fourth-round draft pick.
He was not happy with the evaluation and is back to prove he is a first-rounder.
In an offense that looks to return to balance, Harris anticipates making huge plays in both run game and passing attack. He is prepared to show everyone that he can do it all.
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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.
