On a day when Alabama’s lack of depth at running back stood out like an unhammered nail, the Tide secured a commitment from five-star Najee Harris of Antioch, Calif.
Harris, the No. 2 running back in the 2017 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, verbally committed to Alabama after attending the A-Day game, AL.com reported.
Tosh Lupoi, recently promoted to outside linebackers coach, was Harris’ primary recruiter. Before joining Alabama’s staff, Lupoi coached and recruited for Steve Sarkisian at the University of Washington, and he maintains strong West Coast ties.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior-to-be represents Alabama’s first commitment of the 2017 class.
On Saturday, Derrick Henry finished as one of two fully-operational scholarship running back. DeSherrius Flowers banged up his shoulder early in the game. Kenyan Drake wore a black no-contact jersey, while Ronnie Clark switched to running back full-time after practicing some at defensive back.
Still, reinforcements are arriving as soon as this summer in the form of five-star Damien Harris. Bo Scarbrough eventually will recover from his torn ACL. The 2016 class should include at least one running back. By the time Najee Harris arrives. Alabama’s backfield could again be as crowded as ever.
It’s good news for Alabama, even if the program must work to retain that commitment for another 22 months. On Friday, the nation’s No. 2 athlete decommitted from the Tide.
More significantly, Lance Thompson, a strong recruiter and an assistant linebacker coach for the Tide, bolted for Auburn earlier this year, but it looks like the Tide won’t miss a beat at either role with Lupoi.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
