Alabama commit Najee Harris tops best offensive players at The Opening in Oakland

By Mitch Stephens May 21, 2015, 4:00pm

Incoming junior Najee Harris chosen as MVP among running backs, and top offensive player overall.

Video: Najee Harris (Alabama commit) - Top 5 plays
See high school season highlights from the top offensive player at The Opening Regional in Oakland


The top offensive player at The Opening Regional Oakland camp was an incoming junior.

Jacob Eason, Lake Stevens
Jacob Eason, Lake Stevens
File photo by Paul Caldwell
Najee Harris, the top-ranked California sophomore recruit who has already committed to Alabama, was the "Alpha Dog" among offensive players, according to 247Sports Scouting Director Barton Simmons.

Harris, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound running back from Antioch (Calif.), rushed for school records of 2,263 yards and 23 touchdowns as a sophomore.

"Harris is so much more than a power back, showcasing outstanding change of direction, jump cut and make-miss ability and also the ability to catch the ball effectively out of the backfield," Simmons wrote. "Harris really could develop into a Derrick Henry type of back on the next level at Alabama."



For his strong showing, Harris was invited to The Opening finals July 7-10 at Nike Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. He is one of just six incoming juniors to be invited to the elite camp, and he was one of 12 to be invited from the Oakland regional.

There were nearly 500 incoming juniors and seniors at the Oakland regional, which was held at Burrell Field in San Leandro. Most were from the Western states, including two from Mililani (Hawaii) who were ranked among Simmons' top 10 offensive players other than Harris.

They were wide receiver Kalakaua Timoteo and running back Vavae Malepeai. The top quarterback was Jacob Eason, from Lake Stevens (Wash.), who was No. 2 on Simmons' list.

See the rest of whom impressed Simmons.