Alabama freshman running back Trey Sanders made headlines last year when, during his commitment announcement, he said he planned on winning the Heisman Trophy this season. He may have been half-right because, if Najee Harris keeps running like he’s been doing against South Carolina today, he might just bring a Heisman back to the Alabama backfield.
Two games into the season so far, Harris has put up some decent numbers. He came into Saturday’s contest against the Gamecocks with 120 yards and a touchdown. But any concerns about whether or not Harris was in prime condition could be put to rest in the 2nd quarter when Harris caught a swing pass close to the South Carolina 40-yard-line and proceeded to run right through them (literally) for a touchdown.
If you’re keeping score, Harris turned after the catch and immediately ran right over one South Carolina defender before building up steam so he could leapfrog another one and then finally shake off the third one before trotting easily into the endzone to put Bama up 24-10.
That’s the score at halftime and Harris takes 103 total yards and two touchdowns into the locker room with him. There is still plenty of football to play but it also sounds like that just means there’s plenty of time for Najee to truck a few more South Carolina players.
The road ahead for Alabama and Harris is a long one full of tough opponents, but if heeps putting plays like that together, we’re gonna be watching this one in a Heisman candidate reel very soon.