re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

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Running back Najee Harris is set to enter his senior high school season sitting atop the 2017 composite recruiting rankings.

Expectations couldn't be greater for the 5-star California playmaker, who pledged to Alabama as a sophomore. Harris, who rushed for 5,007 yards and 59 touchdowns during the past two years, has drawn more hype than any prospect at the position since current LSU Tigers and Heisman Trophy contender Leonard Fournette.

His success at Antioch High School—located less than an hour's drive away from Oakland—includes six 200-yard rushing efforts in 2015, per MaxPreps. Though the final game of Harris' junior campaign ended with a playoff defeat, he dominated the matchup with 390 yards and six scores on 39 carries.

Harris, who also holds scholarship offers from heavyweight universities such as Ohio State, Michigan, UCLA and USC, is widely viewed as a talent who can follow the footsteps of past celebrated Crimson Tide running backs. Derrick Henry, Eddie Lacy, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and T.J. Yeldon are among those who've set the bar high in Tuscaloosa throughout head coach Nick Saban's tenure.

Considered the cornerstone of what could become a seventh consecutive top-ranked Alabama recruiting class, Harris warrants closer examination as he prepares for his final prep season. Our latest B/R recruiting breakdown focuses on this coveted backfield standout.

The Basics

High School: Antioch (Antioch, California)

Size: 6'3", 226 lbs

Composite Ranking: No. 1 running back; No. 1 overall

Recruitment Status: Committed to Alabama on April 18, 2015

Prospect Assessment

-Humble attitude and soft-spoken demeanor contrast an aggressive, violent style of play.
-Physical measurements exceed those of multiple blue-chip defensive ends. He approaches the senior high school size of 2015 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry (6'3", 240 lbs).
-Carries substantial pounds for a prospect at his position but doesn't have "bad weight"; physique defined more by length than bulk. More muscle mass won't compromise athleticism.
-Stature and stamina make him a true closer during late stages of a game; wears down opponents and simply seems stronger than defenders in the fourth quarter.
-Upright runner who finishes plays with forward momentum.
-Rare lateral balance and downfield lean for an athlete of his size.
-Exemplary receiving skills; plucks passes with arm extension and soft hands. ... Strengthens case for every-down duties.
-Beats linebackers at top of routes with precise footwork; stronger attributes as a receiver than several pass-catchers in 2017 cycle that are considered 4-star prospects.
-Authoritative downhill runner but also supplies wiggle in the open field; can alter course with finesse moves that don't result in costly deceleration.
-No hesitation from the point of hand-off; surveys developing lanes midstride and attacks accordingly.
-Ability to identify and exploit seams sets him apart; doesn't require initial daylight to do damage.
-Surges north-south even when swarmed in backfield; won't lose yards moving horizontally and can shed tackle attempts to salvage plays.

For instance, last fall Harris received the football at the 36-yard line and proceeded toward the right side of his offensive line. With defensive efforts squarely focused on stopping him, five opponents surrounded him approximately two yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Never one to surrender a snap, Harris pivots with a hard plant on his right foot before bursting off that leg through a tackle and bolting toward the opposite sideline. Another broken tackle—this one from his left—leaves him with three players to beat in a footrace toward the end zone.

Just like that, a two-yard loss becomes a 31-yard touchdown. These are the kind of carries that sustain drives, drain clock and rip the heart out of an opponent.

In the clip below, he picks up the first down before encountering a well-positioned safety at midfield. Though Harris has just shrugged off multiple defenders with a north-south charge, a sudden cut to his left leaves the safety grasping for air and opens the field for him to feast.

He then picks up speed to sprint past the remaining opponents for a 65-yard score. This particular attempt provides evidence of Harris' complete package, as strong initial strides lead to broken tackles, followed by a devastating lateral shift and quickness to close for the score.

Long-Term Outlook

Alabama annually boasts one of the nation's most intimidating offensive backfields, and Harris will encounter significant competition. Sophomores Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough were both 5-star recruits in high school; freshman B.J. Emmons was rated No. 2 overall among running backs in the 2016 cycle; 4-star rusher Brian Robinson is a fellow member of the 2017 class.

Other programs offer a clearer path to playing time, but prospects such as Najee Harris don't shy away from even their finest contemporaries in the pursuit of reps. He may need to wait in line for No. 1 duties—a rite of passage performed regularly by top prospects in Tuscaloosa—but his physique, vision and versatility should combine to create a compelling case for instant consideration in Saban's running back rotation.

If health remains intact, Harris has the makings to become Alabama's latest Heisman Trophy candidate as soon as he secures high-volume touches.

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