After making big plays as a true freshman in a new position, the local reporters got a chance to hear Alabama linebacker Christian Harris speak via Zoom on Monday.
Now a sophomore, he had an opportunity to share his thoughts about starting in 2019 and give insight on the season.
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A native of Baton Rouge, La., Harris played all 13 games (12 starts) at weakside “Will” linebacker, due to a knee injury to Joshua McMillon in August camp. He made the SEC’s All-Freshman team for his performance of 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, five quarterback pressures and two fumble recoveries.
Despite the excitement he had, the Crimson Tide finished 11-2 last year without a championship.
It is one thing to hear coaches and veteran players discuss the “Bama factor,” however, it becomes a beautiful thing when young athletes speak on it and it takes root. Harris said the team has been talking about the Alabama standard since its 35-16 victory over Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
“We have to approach everything with the mentality of we want to be the best,” Harris said.
“Especially last season, being 11-2 at Alabama is not something we would look back at and be happy about or proud of. We want to go undefeated and win national championships. That is the Alabama standard. We have been working every day since we got back from the bowl game, and it has been a big motivating factor for us to keep us pushing.”
Part of the reason for Alabama’s defensive struggles was not having Dylan Moses.
Like Harris, Moses is a Baton Rouge native and was looking forward to leading the Tide in 2019.
Unfortunately, he suffered a serious knee injury at fall camp and Shane Lee had to replace him.
The Crimson Tide allowed 18.5 points and 324.4 yards per matchup, but Moses’ return will fix those numbers. The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder is excited to be back on the field with his teammates and per Harris, the two Louisiana boys have known each other since Harris was six.
“I’ve grown up with him (Dylan Moses) running track and playing football,” Harris said. “Coming to the University of Alabama with Dylan was a big help for me. He’s really like a big brother to me. He’s always helping me out, even though he got hurt. This year, it’s big having him back and he’s looking well. He is the leader of our defense. He gives everyone confidence.”
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He was a wide receiver, defensive back and return specialist at University Lab School.
When it came to playing linebacker for the first time, Harris said the three things he had to focus on was pad level (playing in the box), reading an entire defense and communication. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding, Moses and McMillon all helped Harris develop and from them, the quick learner said he had ‘no choice but to get better.’
The biggest thing that’s helped Harris was learning the full playbook.
“Each and every week I felt I was getting more comfortable with the playbook,” he said. “By the end of the season, I felt the most comfortable because I had 12 games to prepare. It was a week-by-week thing and I was able to play faster.”
With a year under his belt, Harris feels more comfortable as a communicator on defense.
“I can really just go out there and play football now,” he said. “I don’t have to think as much or move slow; I can play football how I’ve always been doing.”
He carries a 6-foot-2 frame, but Harris dropped 12 pounds this summer.
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In going from 244 to 232 pounds, he will be ripping the turf off Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Harris eyes a national title, but this could also be a first-team All-SEC type of season for him.
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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.
