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It’s that time of year.
Alabama’s season opener is still two months away, but the unofficial start to football season begins next week with the annual circus that is SEC Media Days. Hundreds of reporters will flock to The Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala., and bring with them countless predictions and projections.
There will be the preseason media poll, a tradition in which reporters have named the next SEC champion just six times since 1992. There will also be forecasts made of divisional standings as well as preseason All-SEC lists.
What else can we do? When it’s too early to know for sure how teams will look this fall and all the stories from last season have all been told, the only thing left to do is guess.
Junior college quarterbacks will be anointed program saviors while true freshman running backs will draw comparisons to all-time greats before ever stepping on the field. There will be hot takes on hot seats, Heismans and everything in between.
However, lost in the hoopla of the event there are bound to be some names we forget.
Sporting News got the prediction party started a little early, announcing its preseason All-America team last week. Alabama came away well represented with a nation-high six selections between the first and second teams. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was the Crimson Tide’s lone first-team selection while running back Bo Scarbrough, receiver Calvin Ridley, offensive tackle Jonah Williams, safety Ronnie Harrison and punter JK Scott all earned second-team honors.
At first glance, the list is what you’d expect. Fitzpatrick and Harrison should lead Alabama’s defense, while JK Scott returns as the nation’s best pro-style punter. Ridley will be the top weapon in an improved passing attack, and Bo Scarbrough will be fully recovered from his broken leg in time to bowl over defenders come the start of the season.
Then again, the Alabama faithful will always clamor for more. The most egregious omissions according to Tide fans seem to be quarterback Jalen Hurts and defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne. However, taking off the crimson-colored glasses, Hurts still has much to prove heading into his sophomore season, and Payne is never going to get national recognition due to his position as a nose guard.
Looking for a better reason to be upset? What about Damien Harris?
After all, the 5-foot-11, 216-pound back led Alabama in rushing, racking up 1,037 yards on 146 carries, an average of 7.10 a touch. Despite the numbers, Harris gets looked over by his own fan base. In fact, he’s not even the most talked about Harris in the Tide’s backfield.
Ask the average Alabama fan their prediction on Harris’ season and they’ll most likely give you an answer involving either size or potential. They’ll, of course, be referring to 6-foot-2, 227-pound true freshman Najee Harris, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2017 class.
It seems like forever ago since Damien Harris entered Alabama’s program as a five-star himself. Like his fellow Harris, Damien came to Tuscaloosa as the No. 1 running back in the nation, ranking No. 8 overall in the 2015 class. All that seems to be forgotten now.
Scarbrough stole the headlines late last season, tallying 454 yards and four touchdowns in the Tide’s final four games. It didn’t help Damien Harris’ case when Alabama’s offense sputtered after Scarbrough left the national championship game with a broken leg. Although, it’s worth noting that Harris gained 24 yards on five carries (4.8 yards per carry) during the game. It’s not his fault Alabama didn’t get him the ball more.
The truth is, Harris’ game offers more fundamentals than flash. Looking for a back to find the hole? He’s your guy. Need a capable option in the receiving game? Harris reeled in 14 receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns last season. As far as reliability goes, he only put he ball on the ground twice, both of which were recovered by Alabama.
That’s all very nice, but it doesn’t seem to be enough for today’s what-have-you-done-lately crowd, especially after Harris missed most of the spring camp with a sprained foot.
Here’s a prediction for you: don’t expect to see Damien Harris’ name on any preseason lists. Just don't be surprised when it pops on postseason accolades instead.
