This Damien Harris preview is part of a series of previews of the 2017 college football season. These previews aim to provide for scouting prospects in the 2018 rookie draft.
2016 Film Review
Damien Harris is a strong runner with power at all three levels of the defense. On the interior, he is capable of grinding tough yards in the limited crucial short yardage situations he was used. Against linebackers, Harris has the ability to run through arm tackles, while breaking tackles at a good clip. When he gets in the secondary, Harris is a load to tackle. He treated multiple defense backs like rag dolls, particularly when he has a head of steam.
Harris has good ability to make defenders miss with strong quick and balanced cuts. He demonstrated his balance well with the ability to make multiple cuts in succession to set up blocks, hit holes and make defenders miss.
Harris is capable of explosive runs. While a good and powerful athlete, Harris does not have great long speed. His long runs were the contest type of runs where he was trying to fight off defenders 50 yards down field, instead of uncontested breakaway runs.
Workhorse Matrix Score: 6 (Capability to Season Long Role, but Uncomfortable in Offseason)
Harris is a bit of a projection in the workhorse matrix. Harris checks a lot of boxes. He was a five-star recruit landing at Alabama, has nice tape, and recently weighed in at 220 pounds, up 6 pounds from 2016. with recent
On the other hand, Harris resume lacks workhorse usage. Through 2 seasons at Alabama, Harris has 192 carries, with a season high of 146. He has yet to rush for more than 18 carries in a game.
Currently, Harris projects with the ability to finish a year as a starter but his lack of sustained production creates concern in the offseason.
2017 Preview
While Harris currently projects as a 6 in the workhorse matrix, it is unlikely he is there in April 2018. He has major questions entering 2017. With positive answers, he could be an 8 but has a lower possible floor.
Harris is in a muddled backfield with a lot of talent. If he is able to secure a workhorse role in 2017 and add a string of 20+ carry games together, he can certainly rise. However, with the competition in the backfield, it is entirely possible he is a committee back all season.
Harris could help his stock in two other ways on the field. One, he struggles with interior vision. He runs into too many blockers and does not see backside cutback lanes well. Two, he shows a lack of feel for pass blocking. He struggles to identify opposing rushers, and when he does, he attempts to catch them while looking behind him to find when the soonest time he can disengage the block.
Bottom Line
Damien Harris has great pedigree which will earn him a chance to win a role at the next level. His 2017 season will determine whether that is as a Kenyon Drake-type projection back or a matured interior runner with the capability to make chunk gains. His upside is that of a day 2 pick, but he could fall into day 3 if he is a committee back in 2017.
