Najee Harris was the 24th pick in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft. The former Alabama running back is a noted power back and one of the more accomplished at the position in recent memory and was almost certain to be a first-round pick for months before the draft. He is perhaps most known for his signature move, the hurdle.
In a recent interview with Missi Matthews, Najee discussed his signature jump.
“She [Harris' mother] never liked it, neither did Coach Saban liked me hurdling. It's more of an instinct thing. I am a bigger back so defenders tend to go low on me. I want to have an answer to any situation I'm in. “
Harris should be a huge success in Pittsburgh and this is due to his mix of size and agility. Harris is 6'2 and 230 pounds, making him a menace to tackle. He is also incredibly explosive laterally, which lets him make moves with power.
His hurdle is a particularly effective and famous move of is. He gets low as if he is going to drop a shoulder or as though he is going to make contact, but he instead explodes upwards over the defender. He lands comfortably and can keep his run alive. Also, after James Conner signed with Arizona, the Steelers roster desperately needed a back, and Harris falling to them was perfect for both sides.
As for his hurdle, it is a truly special move and makes him a dangerous cover for any defense. Expect this move to be slightly less effective in the NFL because the athleticism threshold is simply much higher. However, Najee will likely be one of the better power backs as early as his rookie season in the NFL and he should make a huge difference for the Steelers.
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