Interview: Bruising 2018 Alabama LB/RB James Harris is Set for Big Senior Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Football fans at all levels watch with various loves of the intricacies within the game appreciating the ground and pound of an offensive attack, the orchestration of a well-executed spread attack, or the domination of a linebacker in the box handing out headaches and grass stains to running backs and quarterbacks alike. If the average fan has the slightest gratitude for hard running between the tackles and/or a bruising middle linebacker, then James Harris is your kind of player.

Harris roughed up opposing 5A Alabama teams during his junior year as a two-way talent for Faith Academy. Harris tallied an estimated 700 all-purpose yards with roughly 550 coming on the ground with six trips to the end zone. On defense, filling in the middle, Harris put an end to 50-plus plays with eight tackles for a loss, and two picks taking one back to the house.

Recruiting interest is not really where it should be for someone of Harris’ abilities, but it is picking up. Faith Academy posted an 0-10 season in 2015 but showed improvement in 2016 turning in a 3-8 record. Perhaps the lack of winning headlines has made it easier for the 6-0, 215 pound, growing playmaker to slip between the proverbial recruiting cracks. As is, Navy has offered with regional programs like Louisiana-Lafayette, South Alabama, Stetson, Samford, Austin Peay, Alabama-Birmingham, Air Force, and Troy all showing various levels of interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I went one-on-one with one of Alabama’s most overlooked prospects in the 2018 recruiting class covering his junior season, off-season workouts, and recruiting interest thus far.

Interview

From your reel, you bring the heat on both offense and defense with some heavy hits. Did your role on offense expand as the 2016 season went along or was it the other way around with your role getting bigger on defense?

“I’m naturally a linebacker. I was the starting running back and ended up starting both ways. I was not on special teams last year to get a breather. During the first couple of games I did not start at linebacker but after the first three games my coach put me in as the starting middle linebacker.”

How many carries did you get last year?

“I think I was around 77 carries.”

What areas of your game got better last season playing running back?

“On offense, my running game got a lot better. I used to just run through people, but that is not always a good thing. I started trying to make people miss as the season went along. I added some shake and footwork to my game. I did more pass routes. I had better pass protection by the middle of the season. Once I got comfortable, when I got to the secondary I would make people miss and get vertical. I want to be balanced as a quick and power back. I can get the job done no matter what is needed.”

How did your game improve as a linebacker last season?

“My hips got better. I was able to cover on passing downs and go one-on-one in the slot and with the running back. To do that you have to have good hips. From my 10th to 11th grade season I got a lot better at covering players in the passing game. Covering the run, I have no problems. I worked on my coordination and footwork a lot during the off-season last year. I lost that fat and changed that fat into muscle but improved my speed and my hips.”

You were a standout on both sides of the ball for the Rams, between running back and linebacker which position do you like best?

“Honestly, I just like hitting people. I am a downhill running back. I got that downhill mentality from being a middle linebacker. I like running back a little bit more. For college purposes, I do not have a preference. When it comes down to it, it does not bother me where I am playing.”

What are you working on during the off-season before your senior year?

“I am working on being more of an athlete. I will have a bigger role as a senior. I’m learning everything there is to know on the field. I’m making sure everyone knows what they are doing on each play. I may play Wildcat and some slot, fullback and running back on offense next year. They have me playing some tight end too. On defense, I may slide down to play tackle and end. I will have to know everything that is going on next season.”

How have spring practices gone for you and Faith Academy?

“We have gotten better. We have improved a lot. We improved a lot from last year. Mentally and physically we are much better. Our coaches have changed our mindset. If you are down 20 (points) or up 20, you keep playing as hard as you can. Our practices are better. No one is walking around between plays. Our freshmen are not scared to hit seniors. That was a problem in years past. They are helping making us get better.

“We lost our spring game, but as a team we played very well. We did not give up. We lost it in the fourth quarter but we played as hard as we could.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this spring?

“I have. We’ve been in the weight room three times a week. We are looking better there too gaining muscle and strength. My power clean was 335, my squat was 475, and I deadlifted 500.”

Have any college coaches been on the sidelines for one of your practices this spring?

“There were a lot that came through this spring. Samford, Wolford, Austin Peay, South Alabama, Navy, Air Force, Troy, and UT-Chattanooga all came to our practices this spring.”

Which position are most colleges recruiting you to play?

“Most of the recruiting is balanced between running back and linebacker. Navy and Samford, they both want me as a running back. Wolford and Austin Peay want me at linebacker. Louisiana Lafayette and Stetson want me as an athlete.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits this spring?

“I took three Junior Day visits to Samford, Auburn, and Louisiana-Lafayette.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“I have a lot of camps planned. Next week I am going to five or six camps. I’m planning on going to camps at Austin Peay, Samford, UAB, Wolford, Stetson, and Southern Miss. I may attend a Louisiana-Lafayette camp on Thursday.”

Are you camping at all the schools and taking an unofficial with each program?

“Yes.”

Are there any other camps this summer you may attend?

“I’d like to go to one of Navy’s camps but that is a 14-hour drive. I’m trying my hardest to get up there.”

What are you overall thoughts on the recruiting process so far?

“I just want to thank all of the schools that are recruiting me for believing in me. I want to thank Navy for offering me. I feel blessed and grateful.”

Do you play any other sports for Faith Academy?

“Track and field.”

Which events?

“Shotput, 4×1 relay, and the 100.”

Which is your best event?

“We made Top 8 in state in the 4×1. I made Top 11 in state for the shotput. I think my best is the 4×1. I think we will win state next year in the 4×1.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“4.2”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I got a 21 on the ACT.”

What motivates you or gets you excited about playing football?

“I love everything about football. I love the downfalls and great times. The downfalls help mold the team together. All the things we go through helps keep us together. The blood, sweat, and tears helps build that bond. My personal motivation is my dad. He passed when I was 12-years-old. I think about him before each game.”

James, sorry for your loss and thanks for sharing. Also, thanks for your time today. Good luck with all the upcoming camps and unofficial visits.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: O’Dell Studios; No. 27 James Harris finds running room (2016).

Photo credit: Harris family; James Harris at Auburn (2017).

Photo credit: Harris family; James Harris at Louisiana-Lafayette (2017).