Meet 'Competitive but Humble' Najee Harris, Alabama Commit and 2017 No. 1 RB

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — On film, Antioch, California's Najee Harris is worth every compliment given. Every cut, every juke, every spin move, every accelerated action...there's no arguing he's a legit, 5-star talent.

As the nation's top-ranked running back of the 2017 class, Harris looks the part in person, as well, measuring in at 6'1" and 216 pounds at The Opening Oakland regional last Sunday. With every move, he impressed the general public and put smiles on the faces of his regular followers.

There's no surprise as to why a handful of schools drooled over what he does on the football field, a battle that Alabama has managed to win. Harris committed to Nick Saban and his staff on April 18.

But after chatting with Harris for a few minutes, it's not his game that impresses you the most. And that means a lot, considering he rushed for nearly 2,300 yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Get to know the athlete off the field, and recognize that his persona is the opposite of the dominant force California football opponents hated to see each weekend.

"He's really shy, kind of quiet," said John Lucido, who has been at Antioch High School for 18 years, including a six-year run as head coach. "Once you get to know him, he opens up, and you see that he's a great kid. He's very smart, very intelligent.

"Most importantly, whatever he needs to do to help the team, he's all for it. He's definitely team first."

Harris' performance on the field makes the casual fan cheer for him. His selfless attitude makes him likable by all. Ask him to describe the person he sees in the mirror, and it's easy to see why everybody at Antioch—and everyone at Alabama—is excited about him.

"I see a competitive guy," he said. "Competitive but humble. I'm always excited. I guess I'd say he's a team player, a guy who's not all about himself."

Harris is ranked as the No. 15 overall player in the 2017 class. He's one of a handful of 5-star players, but when he's asked about his rating, he's quick to consider changing the subject. To him, stars aren't the most important thing.

"Honestly, it's really all just politics to me," he said. "All the 5-star stuff, I don't really care about all that. I don't look back and say, 'I'm the No. 1 running back. I should be able to do this or do that.' I just want to go out, play and win.

"I don't care if I'm the No. 1, No. 20 or No. 100 running back in the country. I'd still be the same person."

Lucido has watched Harris since before his high school days, and athletically, there are few—if any—who rival the potential Harris has at Antioch. Harris possesses great size, tons of explosiveness and an uncanny ability to make defenders miss on the football field. Additionally, he's a workhorse in practices and in the weight room.

Lucido also is a fan of Harris' overall character and how his work ethic permeates around the locker room. He makes his teammates better, and he makes that a priority.

"It doesn't matter who it is, freshmen or seniors," Lucido said. "He's a sophomore himself, and you sometimes forget that. He's just one of those kids who coaches other kids up. I'm glad he does that, because all the kids look up to him."

Harris put on a show at The Opening Oakland, earning running back MVP honors and an invite to The Opening finals in Beaverton, Oregon, in July. The invite is a noteworthy feat, considering he'll be one of only a few underclassmen invited.

Physically, he fits the mold of the big running back Alabama traditionally likes. Harris was in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the weekend of April 17 for Alabama's annual A-Day scrimmage. He left for California as the Crimson Tide's first pledge of the 2017 class.

Outside linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi and running backs coach Burton Burns recruited Harris. Lupoi has several years of West Coast ties as a Northern California native and a former assistant coach at Cal and Washington. Burns is a coach who worked with two backs last year who just missed 1,000 rushing yards for the season in Derrick Henry (990 yards, 11 touchdowns) and T.J. Yeldon (979, 11).

"It wasn't the records or the championships," Harris said of choosing Alabama. "It was just the feeling I had when I got there. I really liked the coaches and everything there. I just thought I fit."

Damon Sayles/Bleacher Report

Harris said he's built a solid relationship with both Burns and Lupoi, but he added that he hasn't completely closed the door on his recruiting process. Georgia, Oregon and USC are three schools that he said he's kept an eye on. Additionally, Harris picked up an offer from Notre Dame on Wednesday.

Harris said he'll weigh all recruiting options in due time. For now, he's using the spring and upcoming summer to get better for Antioch—news that his coach loved to hear. Lucido said he's hoping to expand Harris' abilities on the field to showcase not only his running but also his blocking and pass-catching skills for his junior year.

"You see him training all the time, and you see him getting bigger, stronger and faster," Lucido said. "The sky's the limit for him. With a guy like that, you never want to wear him out, but you've got to use him as a big weapon. I think he'll have a great year."

And with every yard gained and every touchdown scored, look for more of the same from Harris—a positive thing on and off the field.

"He's not the guy who's focused on the small stuff," Lucido said. "He's just ready to work. That's just the kind of kid he is."

To which Harris added: "I'm going to be the same dude every day." 

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.