He has always represented as a team player, but now Najee Harris has elite speed to pair with everything else.
Despite his five rushing touchdowns in two games, one of the coolest moments from Alabama’s 52-24 victory over Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium was Harris’ effort in preventing a touchdown. Mac Jones was looking to get him the ball in the flat; however, DeMarvin Leal (Aggies’ defensive lineman) batted the pass in the air and intercepted it. Instead of watching him score, the former five-star used his offseason training and the work put in with Dr. Matt Rhea — Alabama’s Director of Performance Science — to run down Leal and make a critical tackle.
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A close friend of Rhea, who is also an NFL scout, contacted him about Harris.
His 5 TDs in 2 games are impressive but here’s the play that prompted a call from a friend who is an NFL scout. @ohthatsNajee22 hit his fastest speed of the game (21.7 mph) on this play. Effort matters and it gets noticed! pic.twitter.com/1c8PWfxPab
— Matt Rhea, PhD (@MattRheaPhD) October 5, 2020
According to a post on Twitter, Rhea said the senior running back hit his fastest speed of the game (21.7 mph) on an effort play to negate a touchdown. Harris is currently looked at as one of the best backs for the 2021 NFL Draft and with plays like this, there are many teams that would love to get its hands on him. Nick Saban wants to get the running game established more, especially with Harris’ experience and talent on the field. Also, the Crimson Tide has a veteran offensive line that needs to flex its muscles.
So far, Harris is averaging 70.5 yards per game and totals 141 yards on 29 carries.
He rushed for two scores in a win over the Aggies.
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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.
