Damien Harris announced his commitment to the University of Alabama on Friday in front of students, facility and media members at his high school. He committed to the Tide instead of Kentucky and Ohio State. Harris said he knew at the Iron Bowl (official visit) his intentions to sign with Alabama. The decision grew stronger when he spent the week in Orlando for the Under Armour All-America game with several Alabama commitments especially five-star quarterback, Blake Barnett.
Harris was heavily recruited by Alabama throughout his entire recruitment. It did seem each one of his finalists were a heavy favorite at one point. Some believed Ohio State was the favorite prior to taking an official visit with the Buckeyes in September. He traveled to Columbus the weekend Ohio State lost to Virginia Tech. Momentum started to shift in favor of Kentucky during the fall after each home game, and Harris was often seen on the sidelines.
Alabama was considered a legitimate contender despite the lack of many trips to Tuscaloosa. He returned to Alabama in November for the Mississippi State game, and returned for an official visit when Alabama hosted Auburn. He hung out with Barnett and other Tide commitments during these visits. Alabama heavily targeted Harris and FSU commitment Jacques Patrick (early enrollee). Most of the attention shifted to Harris when Patrick announced for the Seminoles.
Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele was in charge of the recruitment. Nick Saban and running backs coach Burton Burns also spent a heavy amount of time recruiting the nation's top running back. Alabama appeared in great shape heading into the announcement.
Alabama has been in a great position for out-of-state prospects in the past leading up to their decision. They have even been the favorite days before an announcement. However, a last minute decision to stay in-state happens, and Alabama has missed on a few key targets. This was a situation with Harris with much pressure applied by fans, students, friends, family, administrators, Kentucky coaches (football and basketball). Harris was sold on the Crimson Tide program, and he received a blessing from his mom to attend Alabama. He does not plan to take any other visits and solid with his commitment.
The player
Harris is a Mark Ingram-type of player. He is explosive and has a great burst at the line of scrimmage. He is a patient runner who follows his blocks and quick once he hits the hole. He runs with an excellent blend of power and speed.
He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He can run between the tackles and bounce to the outside. There is a reason national analysts describe Harris as the most complete running back in the country. Harris has a chance to have a special career at Alabama much like Ingram, Richardson, Lacy, Yeldon. Plenty of great backs have been in Tuscaloosa. He will certainly have an offensive line in front of him to pave the way for a potential Heisman Trophy campaign in the future.
Running back numbers
Alabama is likely finished at the running back position even though the coaching staff is still expected to host Johnny Frasier, four-star running back and FSU commitment from Princeton High School in N.C., next week for an official visit. Alabama also has a pair of early enrollees at running back in Desherrius Flowers and Bo Scarbrough.
The opportunity to contribute as a freshman is there for Harris with the early departure of T.J. Yeldon to the NFL draft. Alabama returns Derrick Henry who split carries with Yeldon this fall. Tyren Jones took control as the No.3 back after Kenyan Drake's season ending injury. Jones, Drake and Altee Tenpenny will return in the fall. Drake will continue as a running back and wide receiver.
Scarbrough and Flowers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent during the spring. Scarbrough has the athleticism and talent to see the field early at Alabama. He can become a Drake, Henry or Jalston Fowler type of player. He has the ability to do many different things. Many expect Flowers to remain a running back, but with his size and athletic ability it will not come as a major surprise if he sees reps on the defensive side of the ball.
Alabama's running back unit is extremely talented. The Tide has produced some great offensive lines. The talent at the position in the last two recruiting classes should pave the way for these backs to have a lot of success during their time in Tuscaloosa.
Numbers
The overall numbers are very, very tight. Alabama sits with 26 commitments in the 2015 class, 27 if you count Daylon Charlot, four-star wide receiver from Patterson High School in La., who is likely to re-commit at some point before signing day. Alabama was expected to take 27 commitments in this class which included Bo Scarbrough. (Scarbrough and Charlot, 28.) There are a few players in the class with academic concerns.
Alabama is still seeking at least one more offensive tackle and might add another wide receiver. Alabama is still recruiting a few tight ends, but there is a slim chance another one is added.
Alabama will bring in next weekend Drew Richmond, five-star offensive tackle from Memphis University School in Tenn., and Isaiah Prince, Rivals100 offensive tackle from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md. Chidi Okeke-Valentine took an official visit in December. Alabama is a strong contender to flip Richmond from Ole Miss. However, Okeke-Valentine has Alabama in his top two, and the Tide's interest in him remains very high.
Alabama might not sign another player this year and still have one of the best recruiting classes since Nick Saban arrived. However, they should add another prospect or two and challenge for the best class in the history of Rivals.com's team rankings.
This post was edited on 1/10 3:50 PM by Andrew Bone
https://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=208866336&mid=208866336&sid=885&style=2
Harris was heavily recruited by Alabama throughout his entire recruitment. It did seem each one of his finalists were a heavy favorite at one point. Some believed Ohio State was the favorite prior to taking an official visit with the Buckeyes in September. He traveled to Columbus the weekend Ohio State lost to Virginia Tech. Momentum started to shift in favor of Kentucky during the fall after each home game, and Harris was often seen on the sidelines.
Alabama was considered a legitimate contender despite the lack of many trips to Tuscaloosa. He returned to Alabama in November for the Mississippi State game, and returned for an official visit when Alabama hosted Auburn. He hung out with Barnett and other Tide commitments during these visits. Alabama heavily targeted Harris and FSU commitment Jacques Patrick (early enrollee). Most of the attention shifted to Harris when Patrick announced for the Seminoles.
Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele was in charge of the recruitment. Nick Saban and running backs coach Burton Burns also spent a heavy amount of time recruiting the nation's top running back. Alabama appeared in great shape heading into the announcement.
Alabama has been in a great position for out-of-state prospects in the past leading up to their decision. They have even been the favorite days before an announcement. However, a last minute decision to stay in-state happens, and Alabama has missed on a few key targets. This was a situation with Harris with much pressure applied by fans, students, friends, family, administrators, Kentucky coaches (football and basketball). Harris was sold on the Crimson Tide program, and he received a blessing from his mom to attend Alabama. He does not plan to take any other visits and solid with his commitment.
The player
Harris is a Mark Ingram-type of player. He is explosive and has a great burst at the line of scrimmage. He is a patient runner who follows his blocks and quick once he hits the hole. He runs with an excellent blend of power and speed.
He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He can run between the tackles and bounce to the outside. There is a reason national analysts describe Harris as the most complete running back in the country. Harris has a chance to have a special career at Alabama much like Ingram, Richardson, Lacy, Yeldon. Plenty of great backs have been in Tuscaloosa. He will certainly have an offensive line in front of him to pave the way for a potential Heisman Trophy campaign in the future.
Running back numbers
Alabama is likely finished at the running back position even though the coaching staff is still expected to host Johnny Frasier, four-star running back and FSU commitment from Princeton High School in N.C., next week for an official visit. Alabama also has a pair of early enrollees at running back in Desherrius Flowers and Bo Scarbrough.
The opportunity to contribute as a freshman is there for Harris with the early departure of T.J. Yeldon to the NFL draft. Alabama returns Derrick Henry who split carries with Yeldon this fall. Tyren Jones took control as the No.3 back after Kenyan Drake's season ending injury. Jones, Drake and Altee Tenpenny will return in the fall. Drake will continue as a running back and wide receiver.
Scarbrough and Flowers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent during the spring. Scarbrough has the athleticism and talent to see the field early at Alabama. He can become a Drake, Henry or Jalston Fowler type of player. He has the ability to do many different things. Many expect Flowers to remain a running back, but with his size and athletic ability it will not come as a major surprise if he sees reps on the defensive side of the ball.
Alabama's running back unit is extremely talented. The Tide has produced some great offensive lines. The talent at the position in the last two recruiting classes should pave the way for these backs to have a lot of success during their time in Tuscaloosa.
Numbers
The overall numbers are very, very tight. Alabama sits with 26 commitments in the 2015 class, 27 if you count Daylon Charlot, four-star wide receiver from Patterson High School in La., who is likely to re-commit at some point before signing day. Alabama was expected to take 27 commitments in this class which included Bo Scarbrough. (Scarbrough and Charlot, 28.) There are a few players in the class with academic concerns.
Alabama is still seeking at least one more offensive tackle and might add another wide receiver. Alabama is still recruiting a few tight ends, but there is a slim chance another one is added.
Alabama will bring in next weekend Drew Richmond, five-star offensive tackle from Memphis University School in Tenn., and Isaiah Prince, Rivals100 offensive tackle from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md. Chidi Okeke-Valentine took an official visit in December. Alabama is a strong contender to flip Richmond from Ole Miss. However, Okeke-Valentine has Alabama in his top two, and the Tide's interest in him remains very high.
Alabama might not sign another player this year and still have one of the best recruiting classes since Nick Saban arrived. However, they should add another prospect or two and challenge for the best class in the history of Rivals.com's team rankings.
This post was edited on 1/10 3:50 PM by Andrew Bone
https://alabama.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=427&tid=208866336&mid=208866336&sid=885&style=2
