Najee Harris explains what prompted him to choose Alabama

Out of high school, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris could’ve gone to any school he wanted, as he was ranked the No. 1 running back in the nation and No. 2 player overall according to On3 Consensus. But the Antioch, California product chose Alabama, and on The Pivot Podcast he detailed what went into that decision.

“The reason I went to Alabama is because they’re saying west coast can’t play in the SEC, Cali guys can’t play in the SEC. In some ways the Pac-12 is kind of a faster high school, there’s no defense being played it’s just strictly offense. But you know they said that Alabama, that’s where it’s at. If you want to compete every day, that’s what I like doing, go against the best people, you want to get all these games and all the rah-rah stuff. Everything’s bigger in Texas, they’re saying if you wanna play against all these big people and big names, go to the SEC,” Harris said.

Harris definitely proved that west coast guys can in fact play in the SEC, as he currently ranks in the top fifteen all time in SEC history in rushing yards and is tied for fourth in conference history in rushing touchdowns. Harris also detailed his recruiting process and his transition from California to Tuscaloosa.

“So I think Alabama was the first SEC school to hit me up, it was Tosh Lupoi. Tosh Lupoi’s really from the Bay area, and Alabama didn’t really recruit no west coast guys because they think none of them would come there because it’s kind of far, which it really is, it’s hella far actually. On camera, I left as much as I can on the weekends to go back, I was homesick. I was homesick for three years god******, three years, and I was there for four god****** you feel me,” Harris said.

And the Crimson Tide are thankful for Lupoi’s recruiting efforts, as he secured two players that would play pivotal roles in Alabama’s championship success for the next four years.

“Anyways, Tosh Lupoi went to De La Salle and then he got on board there recruiting and he started recruiting out the west coast. So he brought me out there, he brought Tua [Tagovailoa] out there, I think those are the two guys in my class he brought out there and he saw, obviously, what Tua did and then I, what I did, and it’s like now they recruit the west coast. But man for me to come out there and compete out there, that’s why I went out there, nothing to do with championships, I promise you,” Harris said.

Harris’ choice may have had nothing to do with championships, but he still got them. He and Tagovailoa went on to make an immediate impact, as the duo helped lead the Crimson Tide to a National Championship win as true freshman, leading the team in rushing and passing in the 2018 championship game. Harris went on to secure another National Championship win in 2020 and the rest is history, as the two west coast products were first round NFL draft picks and paved the way for California talent like Bryce Young.