|
|
Christian Harris NFL Draft Profile
|
Christian Harris Scouting ReportChristian has impressive athletic ability. He demonatrates an excellent understanding of his position and does well to get his teammates lined up correctly. He is a leader on and off the field. He moves incredibly well and showcases great change of direction. He explodes through gaps applying his solid lateral agility. He is a good open field tackler, and understands how to slip the gaps to put pressure on the quarterback and tackles for loss. His high school experience as a defensive back helps him in coverage. He has the speed to stick with tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. He is physical to the point of attack, finding the ball. He looks to punish the opponents carrying the ball delivering a pop. |
Areas for ImprovementOne of the most significant areas of concern as Harris transitioned to linebacker was with tackling ability. That remains the area where he could most improve his game. Although the Alabama linebacker exhibits the ability to come downfield and lay a heavy hit, he needs to refine his technique. As a coverage linebacker, Harris needs to develop more awareness of the game behind him. He excels when the ball is in front of him. Yet, there are examples of receivers sneaking behind him, which may limit Harris to man-coverage-specific teams at the NFL level. |
Christian Harris Career at AlabamaHaving demonstrated the tackling ability to play linebacker at the All-American Bowl, Harris impressed during fall camp in Tuscaloosa. Harris was thrust into a starting role as a true freshman with injuries to multiple starters at the position. It might not have been the gradual introduction to college football that many had anticipated for him, but Harris thrived. In his debut against Duke, he tallied 6 tackles. A year after being entertained by Alabama at the Iron Bowl, he secured his first forced fumble in one of the biggest rivalries in college sports. Harris closed the season with a career-high 9 tackles against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. In his debut campaign, he registered 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss (led all SEC freshmen), 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass breakup. As a result of his stellar outings, Harris earned Freshman All-American honors from USA Today and ESPN. Additionally, he was awarded Freshman All-SEC merits by conference coaches. |
Christian Harris NFL Draft Player ProfileWith a year of development in the public eye, Harris flourished into one of the nation’s top linebackers in 2020. In the first game of the season against Missouri, he logged the first sack of his career. The Alabama coaching staff named him the team’s Defensive Player of the Week for his endeavors. Harris would add another four such awards against Tennessee, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Auburn. Against Kentucky, he set a new career-high single-game tackle record with 11, one of three double-digit tackle performances. Despite suffering an injury against Arkansas, Harris rebounded to record his first multiple-sack game in the SEC Championship win over Florida. Further highlighting a passion for the big game, he secured his first career interception in the College Football Playoffs against Notre Dame. Harris finished the season with 79 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, and 1 interception. Despite being snubbed for All-SEC honors, he was a Butkus Award semifinalist (given to the top linebacker in college football). Harris returns to lead the Alabama LB group for the 2021 season. Another impressive campaign will almost certainly ensure that Harris receives first-round attention in the 2022 NFL Draft. |
 |