Najee Harris Comments on Commitment to Alabama, Upcoming Visits, More

A year-and-a-half ago, Najee Harris gave his verbal commitment to Alabama. But now as February's national signing day inches closer, the nation's consensus top recruit isn't quite as committed to joining the Crimson Tide.

“I’m going to take my five visits, but I just don’t know where,” Harris said last week, per Jim Halley of USA Today. “Let’s say this: My mind isn’t set on Alabama. I’m not 100 percent set on Alabama. I’m trying to see what else is out there for me. I’m using my visits to see. As much attention as I’ve gotten, I feel like I have helped my teammates get some offers, too.” 

Harris, a 6'2", 221-pound running back out of Antioch High School in California, has been the runaway top player in his class for some time. He's considered one of the best prep backs in recent memory, having broken the Bay Area's all-time rushing mark last week.

Through the first six games of 2016, Harris has compiled 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has been the shining bright spot in a frustrating 3-3 start for Antioch. 

“At this point, the (record) doesn’t matter,” Harris said. “Our stats guy is the one who tells me what those records are.”

As for which schools might get official visits from Harris, it's not clear. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh plans to visit Harris next week in an attempt to flip his verbal to the Wolverines, per Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle. Harbaugh has made headlines for his unconventional recruiting methods and last year flipped top kicker Quinn Nordin from a long-standing commitment to Penn State.

The two may wind up discussing Colin Kaepernick, Harbaugh's former quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers. Harris expressed his support for Kaepernick's national anthem protest to Kroichick, though he indicated he would not be kneeling down for now. 

“I’m not ready for that yet,” Harris said. “I’m trying to shy away from the attention for now. They’d be asking me everywhere…but I support Kaepernick.”

Harbaugh looming in Nick Saban's rearview mirror has to be a concern. Michigan is off to a dominant start to 2016 at 6-0, with Harbaugh returning the Wolverines to national title contender status in just his second season. With Harris not pledging his undying support for Alabama, things might get a little antsy in Tuscaloosa between now and February.

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.