Damien Harris "enters the category of good football players" for the Patriots

After the Oakland Raiders drafted Josh Jacobs in the first round on Thursday and the New England Patriots in Damien Harris' draft in the third round on Friday, 10 Alabama carriers were selected on nine NFL routes .

The finalists selected in Alabama in the previous eight editions were Mark Ingram in 2011, Trent Richardson in 2012, Eddie Lacy in 2013, Jalston Fowler and T.J. Yeldon in 2015, Kenyan Drake and Derrick Henry in 2016, and Bo Scarbrough in 2018.

"Living in Alabama has been incredible," Harris told reporters in Boston after being chosen by the Patriots. "There have been so many people who have helped me on this journey to get where I am today. I can not thank all the coaches – coach (Nick) Saban, coach (Burton) Burns, coach (Joe) Pannunzio – for making me the best coach of ball that I can be, coach Scott Cochran putting me in the best shape really everybody, they have always been there for me, they've always helped me to get to the point where i'm I am now, so I am super grateful to have had these guys and to have been a part of Alabama 's experience. "

Saban and New England coach Bill Belichick worked together for four seasons, when Belichick was the head coach and Saban, the Cleveland Brown defensive coordinator.

Since taking over the reins of New England in 2000, Belichick has been 255-89 (a .741 winning percentage) and has won six Super Bowls. Since he became coach of Alabama in 2007, Saban has a record of 194-37 (a winning percentage of .840) and has won five national championships.

Harris said that he thought playing four seasons under Saban would prepare him well to play for Belichick.

"I think coach Saban is preparing all his players to be ready for the next level and the NFL," Harris said. "Of course, coach Saban and coach Belichick are very similar, they know each other, they are friends, so I think that in addition to coach Saban, he should also help in the transition … the NFL and the Patriots and help me succeed …

"He and his trainer Saban have a special relationship." Coach Belichick is a big fan of Alabama, as you can see.Luckily he's there, because that's what he's doing. Helped me go where I am, but grateful for him and his relationship with coach Saban. "

The Belichick operation in New England did not recruit a player from Alabama until Saban took control of Crimson Tide. In 2010, the Patriots recruited defenseman Brandon Deadrick in the seventh round. Then came linebacker Who's Hightower in the first round in 2012, linebacker Xzavier Dickson in the seventh round in 2015 and cornerback Cyrus Jones in the second round in 2016.

"I would say that's a situation, compared to everything you look at, it falls into the category of good football players that has always been productive over the years," said Nick Caserio, director of the player Patriots. staff, said on Harris's selection. "Listen, everyone knows what we think of Alabama's program, of the consideration that it deserves and the mutual respect that Bill and Nick have for one." but he is a player who, over the last three years, has averaged an average of 1,000 yards in the SEC, with Nick Chubb and Sony (Michel), they have Harris, Josh Jacobs and a few others in preparation.

"But this guy has always been a productive player, so I would say it's more of a good football player than the other options we're looking at on the board."

Michel led the Patriots in 2018 with 931 yards and six touchdowns on 209 races. James White scored 435 yards and five touchdowns in 94 rushing attempts and captured 87 passes for 751 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

New England also returns Rex Burkhead to the comeback after accumulating 186 yards in 57 races in 2018. What is missing from the Patriots' ground game for 2019 is wide receivership Cordarrelle Patterson, who collected 228 yards in 42 races last season before leaving for the Chicago Bears in free agency.

"The more you are versatile, the more you can do, it will improve your ability to do more things," said Caserio about the halves. "Guys like Burkhead are versatile, he can run, he can catch, he can block, Sony is a good runner, James is a good runner in his own way, and he's a great catcher, and the game is evolving a little bit here. so if you can put a guy over there and he can do more than one thing, then that gives you an advantage …

"In the case of Damien, he probably has some of these qualities, so we'll see how that will work out when he gets here."

Harris said that he thought his best quality was reliability.

"I think I'm just a reliable player, someone who, every time you ask me to do something, I'll do it," Harris said. "I think I'm just showing a lot of great attributes on the field, things that allow me to be a great half-offense and can help the team succeed. There are many things I can do well, many improvements to make. So I'm quite ready to come in and be my best self and get to work on day 1. "

With Michel and White in well-established positions in the Patriots' offensive, Harris will likely see some special teams as a rookie – and he's ready.

"I've had pictures of almost all the special teams (Alabama units)," Harris said. "I've mostly played back and back from punt and I've always enjoyed doing it. It has always been fun for me, and I just wanted to help improve our special teams – help change position on the field, be an attribute of the game of kicking. "

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Mark Inabinett is a sports journalist for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @ AMarkG1.