Alabama’s recruiting class added another significant piece on Friday.
Damien Harris, the five-star running back from Madison Southern High School in Berea, Ky., chose Alabama today, making him the Crimson Tide’s 26th recruit in its already loaded incoming recruiting class.
With Alabama, Ohio State and Kentucky hats next to him, Harris thanked his coaches and his family, said he would further his education, get a degree, and continue his football career at the University of Alabama.
He took some heat from Kentucky fans on Twitter for jilting his home-state team, but he felt that Alabama was the best place for him.
Watch Harris’ announcement here:
After Harris committed, he said he picked Alabama a while ago and that his commitment is final.
“Finally this process is somewhat over,” Harris said, per AL.com. “I know a lot of schools will see if they can get you to flip, but now that I’ve made my decision, I’m solid in it.
“I’m not looking to search for other schools. I want to be solid in my commitment. It’s good after four years that this process is starting to end.”
Harris was recruited primarily by Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele, but it may have been incoming five-star and early enrollee quarterback Blake Barnett who sealed the deal. Harris and Barnett played together in St. Petersburg, Fla. at the Under Armour All-America Game.
Following Harris’ commitment, Barnett put a photo on Instagram with the two of them at the game, and tweeted a photo jokingly touting himself as the “Recruiter of the Year.”
So glad to have my good friend be my teammate for the future. Congrats my man @DHx34 just messing around here pic.twitter.com/gmlOzK5iVr
— B² (@BlakeBarnett_8) January 9, 2015
Headed into 2015, Alabama has Derrick Henry, Tyren Jones and Altee Tenpenny returning, along with Harris and incoming four-star recruit Desherrius Flowers. Bo Scarborough, the 2014 five-star running back recruit, finally joined the team during Sugar Bowl practice after not being academically eligible to enroll last season.
T.J. Yeldon announced he was leaving for the NFL this morning, but it doesn’t seem like Alabama will have any trouble at the running back position for a very long time.
