Najee Harris will be Alabama Football’s most successful NFL running back

The Alabama Football offense will miss Najee Harris in the backfield next season, but the star running back could be Saban’s most successful in the NFL.

Nick Saban has had a key running back in the backfield in each of his seasons with the Tide. Many argue that Bama is RBU, or running back university. There is no doubt that Najee Harris is among one of the best. His decision to return for his senior season with the Alabama Football team was a crucial one.

The NFL has several Bama backs making waves in the league… Kenyan Drake, Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris, TJ Yeldon, Mark Ingram, and most notably, Derrick Henry. However, Najee Harris could outperform them all.

Of the current Alabama alumni in the NFL, Derrick Henry has been the most successful. Derrick Henry became the first NFL player to rush for 200 yards and two or more touchdowns in four games in his career. He racked up 1500 yards for the second consecutive season, another impressive feat. He also won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award in 2020.

Henry has set the gold standard for Alabama Football running backs in the league. However, Najee Harris could have an even more impressive legacy before long.

Harris has the edge over Henry as a receiver. Harris is a dynamic back who can be a far greater threat as a receiver than Henry can. In his last season with the Tide, Harris had 43 receptions for 425 yards averaging 9.9 yards per catch. Harris was a huge red-zone threat with his legs or being snuck out on a wheel route from the backfield. Derrick Henry can hardly be considered a threat at receiver.

Harris also has the edge in agility. Henry is powerful and fast.. picture an 18-wheeler coming at you full-speed.

Harris is powerful for his size but is also far shiftier and quick on his feet. Henry can run you over, but Harris will hurdle you clean and rack up another ten yards. His hurdling skills became his signature move in his senior season. The hurdle seen round the world came against Notre Dame in the College Football Semifinal game when he leapt over a defender standing nearly straight up without missing a step.

Najee Harris performed best in his biggest games. He accounted for five touchdowns in the SEC Championship game against Florida, an SEC Championship game record. He also had three touchdowns in the National Championship game against Ohio State. He holds the record for rushing touchdowns in his time at Bama.

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If it hadn’t been for the two other Heisman finalists, Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith, on the field at the same time, his season would have certainly been worthy of a Heisman Trophy.

Don’t count on Najee Harris being an NFL bust… he may just be the best NFL running back the Tide has ever had.