Damien Harris

A two-year starter at Alabama, Harris has been a reliable between-the-tackles runner for the Crimson Tide offense the past two seasons and his 7.0 career yards per carry average ranks second all-time in school history. He isn’t a flashy player and never earned All-SEC honors, but he proved himself to be trustworthy and doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses. Although he benefited from a strong offensive line and deep backfield, which allowed him to stay fresh late in games, Harris consistently gained more yards than what was blocked for him due to his balance, vision and competitive edge. He was used more as a pass blocker than any other back in college football in 2017 and made it a personal mission to bury defenders with his tenacity and awareness. BACKGROUND A five-star running back recruit out of high school, Harris was widely considered the No. 1-ranked running back recruit in the nation after finishing his prep career with 6,717 rushing yards and 111 touchdowns at Madison Southern. After a brief commitment to Michigan, he strongly considered nearby Ohio State and Kentucky (lived 20 minutes from the UK campus), but ultimately chose Alabama on signing day, citing the program’s recent history of producing backs to the NFL. As a true freshman, Harris worked his way into a reserve role behind Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake, posting 157 rushing yards and one score. He became the Tide’s featured starter as a sophomore (shared snaps with Bo Scarbrough) and led the team with 1,037 rushing yards on 146 carries (7.1 average) and four total touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving). Harris returned as Alabama’s main back in 2017 and led the team in rushing yards (906), rushing average (8.2) and rushing touchdowns (11).

in our view

Overall, Harris’ lack of initial explosion is his most glaring concern, but his run instincts and improved conditioning make him a highly reliable option. He projects as a low ceiling, high floor running back prospect and projects as one of the top-rated backs in the 2018 class.

strengths

Instinctive and senses openings. NFL-ready vision and decision-making. Stays balanced through contact with the finishing toughness to absorb and finish through tackle attempts. Great job squaring his shoulders and getting his momentum north-south. Flashes an open-field burst with a second gear to out-race pursuit downfield (seven rushes of 30+ yards in 2017). Makes gliding cuts instead of hard stops, preventing him from having to gear down. Extensive pass protection experience and highly effective due to his effort, power and technique to mirror and body up rushers, stopping them cold.

compares to

Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos. Similar to Harris, Davis wasn’t an elite athlete who was simply bigger, faster and stronger than everyone else. Hass was productive due to his running back-specific traits like his vision, balance and toughness. Those characteristics and his value as a blocker are why Harris will be held in high regard by NFL evaluators.

weaknesses

Not explosive when changing directions. Limited juice when attempting to find running room east-west. Smaller catch radius, fighting balls that weren’t thrown at his facemask – only 26 career receptions. Led Alabama in rushing yards the last two seasons, but wasn’t asked to be a workhorse, accounting for only 20.4% of the team’s total carries – never logged more than 16 carries in a collegiate game. Durability wasn’t an issue at Alabama, but fought through a nagging right ankle injury (Sept. 2016) the second half of his sophomore season – missed four games as a senior in high school due to a MCL sprain in his right knee (Oct. 2014). – Dane Brugler 12/17/2017

hungry competitor and motivated to be great (alabama assistant coach

“It’s been amazing to watch his confidence grow every day since he arrived, which has been as big a part of his development as anything.”). Only three career fumbles and none in 2017. Durable and looked like the same back regardless of quarter – rushing yards per carry in the first half (8.3) and second half (8.1). Consistent production the past two seasons as the featured running back, dominating SEC competition (averaged 8.2 yards in 17 conference games in 2016-17). Regular on punt coverages as a blocker – recorded his first career blocked punt (Sept. 2017) vs. FSU. – Dane Brugler 12/17/2017

The top-ranked running back in the nation by Rivals.com, Prepstar and the 247Composite

a five-star prospect by Rivals.com

participated in the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game and Nike’s “The Opening” in 2013 and 2014

2014 All-USA first team by USA Today

2013 Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year

2014 The Courier-Journal’s All-State selection

the unanimous No. 1 player the state of Kentucky

No. 8 in the Rivals100

No. 17 on the Prepstar top 150 Dream Team

No. 36 in the ESPN300, the No. 2 running back in the nation and No. 17 player in the Southeast region

No. 47 in the Top247 and the No. 3 running back by 247Sports.com

ranked No. 31 in the 247Composite

a knee injury limited Harris to 1,474 yards and 23 touchdowns in seven games during the 2014 season

rushed for 2,621 yards and 42 touchdowns as a junior in 2013

finished his high school career with the second-most touchdowns in state history (122; rushing 113) and the 11th-most rushing yards (6,748)

coached by Jon Clark at Madison Southern in Berea, Ky.

chose Alabama over Ohio State and Kentucky.

2018

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
5.8	9.0	876.0	150.0	73.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
22.0	9.3	0.0	52.0	204.0

2017

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
7.4	11.0	1000.0	135.0	75.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
12.0	7.6	0.0	17.0	91.0

puntReturns
AVG	NO	TD	LONG	YDS
19.0	1.0	0.0	19.0	19.0

2016

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
7.2	2.0	1040.0	145.0	73.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
14.0	7.1	2.0	56.0	99.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	0.0	2.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	3.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.0

2015

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
3.4	1.0	157.0	46.0	41.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
4.0	3.3	0.0	8.0	13.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
30.0	174.0	9.0	0.0	19.3