Friday is the big day. Damien Harris announces his college decision at his high school a little after one o’clock. Several years of waiting are about to come to an end in one way or another as Harris will choose between Kentucky and Alabama, and to a lesser extent, Ohio State. It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that Harris is down to the Wildcats and Crimson Tide. The entire state of Kentucky will be watching to see if Harris will stay home and be a hero.
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For those looking for some tea leaves to read, there has been a steady flow of Crystal Ball picks of Harris to UK for the past week or so and the national analysts still feel that’s the choice. But Harris is a quiet kid who doesn’t tip his hand much and this could just be a case of the media not wanting to bet against Stoops’ staff after the past two years of surprises. I know that I wouldn’t .
Between Kentucky and Alabama fans every single argument has been hashed out at this point, and to be honest, either choice would be good for Harris’ career. Obviously Alabama is an NFL factory that sends a running back to the league every few years. At the same time they have at least three NFL prospects on the roster already and a four star running back enrolling early. They will also sign a top five running back next year. While Harris is an elite talent, that could be a little crowded, or it could mean that he won’t have to worry about getting overused in college. Assuming he becomes a major player for the Tide, he would be on national television constantly. That helps with Heisman voting. And don’t forget the likelihood of winning a national championship.
On the flip side, Harris would be the most talented back on Kentucky’s roster. He wouldn’t be on television nearly as often and the chances of Kentucky playing for a national championship are slim in the next four years. His chances of being the star on this team are much higher but the concept that he would dominate carries may be far-fetched. Boom Williams has earned a bigger role on offense going forward and could serve as the lightning to Harris’s thunder. Don’t forget Mikel Horton and Jojo Kemp on the roster as well. And there is a definite draw to stay home and be a semi-celebrity.
For those wondering, I think Harris chooses Kentucky on Friday, no inside information just a feeling. But at the end of the day, it’s up to him to decide what is best for his future and where he wants to live for the next four years. At this point relationships are likely to be the deciding factor and he is close with several Alabama commitments. He has also grown close to much of the Kentucky roster in the two years that he has been visiting.