Strength 1: Mental Processing
Harris’ greatest strength is his vision and mental processing and that is how he has been able to be a productive back at Alabama throughout his college career. He shows awareness of when the play-side gap on inside zone closes, and will bang the run to the backside gap. His experience as a runner shines and shows understanding of zone concepts on tape with his decisiveness and quick decision-making ability. Harris is a good example of an over-achieving back that uses his mind and good-enough athleticism to generate yardage.
Damien Harris with ++ inside zone vision, sees LB fill playside A-gap and quickly cuts to backside B gap and is off to the races. (Good Job by Jonah getting his hips around at the last second) pic.twitter.com/HfOx3v1zXb
— Ross O'Keefe (@RossOKeefe2) January 12, 2019
Strength 2: Toughness
Damien Harris is not afraid to finish runs with malice, and is rarely a back who gets hit, but rather delivers them. He can run through arm tackles with pure will and take defenders head on; likes contact without a doubt. Should be fine running in between the tackles and has the right mindset.
Damien Harris ... AGAIN. 😤 pic.twitter.com/RWq2v3mC1F
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 30, 2018
Strength 3: Pad Level
The Alabama RB has great pad level and flexibility to bend his knees to get low and take hits. This low center of gravity provides a natural leverage which generates power by itself. This is also a valuable trait to have in pass protection as he will have leverage on defenders as they blitz. Also allows Harris to fit into smaller holes that bigger backs may have trouble squeezing through.
Couple HUGE blocks on this power to Damien Harris that tied the game in the 4th. Not much space but makes them pay.
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) November 14, 2017
Hassenauer down block.
Williams on LB.
Cotton pull. pic.twitter.com/ofUc5DRuey