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2021 Devy Prospect Previews: RBs RB Najee Harris (Alabama) and Jah-Maine Martin (NC A&T)

Devy Disclaimer: I only take a quick look at some game tape and review background data on each prospect – it’s a very preliminary look that I could change my mind on with deeper study a year later when these prospects do hit the college all-star bowl games and work the NFL Combine and Pro Days. I don’t have all the data, today, that I need/want for a comprehensive scouting and I’m not taking anywhere near a full amount of time to tape preview -- I’m giving a knee jerk scouting reaction from a basic intro to the player. The good news is…I’m better at this (scouting) than anyone in the world, so my quick eye test is better than the echo chamber’s/football media’s studies – so, I’m your best hope for an initial preview…but don’t write any of this in stone…it’s early with limited data and a whole season of info/tape/data to come on these guys.

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RB Najee Harris, Alabama (SR)

6’2”/230

2019: 209-1,224-13 rushing, 27-304-7 rec.

Grade: B+

Classic RB prospect that the NFL adores…physically big, nimble for his size, is a willing blocker, and a sneaky good pass receiver…all that PLUS he goes to ‘Alabama’ – oh, he’ll be the top RB taken in the draft even if Jim Brown 2.0 is lurking out there somewhere. Harris checks all the NFL boxes.

Reminds me of: Slightly smaller, not as fast, but a more nimble version of Derrick Henry…and if Henry could catch passes.

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RB Jah-Maine Martin, NC A&T (rSR)

5’10”/203

2019: 187-1,446-23 rushing, 8-44-0 rec. (12g)

Preview Grade = C

A really impressive FCS speedster. Smart runner with good instincts for finding space to run but has ‘plus’ speed/burst and wiggle to just spring past defenders. When I watch him play it doesn’t look like a big play is there and then Martin just finds it and is gone, and you wonder…how he did it. He’s probably more of a gadget/gimmick type player for the pros, a satellite back and return man…but some upside that he’s so savvy of a runner he just forces his way to NFL touches.

Reminds me of: FCS version of Darrell Henderson.