Najee Harris Drafted 24 Overall By the Pittsburgh Steelers

Alabama Crimson Tide running back Najee Harris has been selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh reportedly loved Harris throughout the draft process, especially after a down year rushing the football coupled with the departure of James Conner to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency.

Harris immediately steps in as the starting running back for the Steelers in an effort to take some pressure off of long-time quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. With plenty of experience carrying the rock, the Steelers may have found its answer in the running game.

Harris led a storied career for the Crimson Tide, appearing in 51 games over his four seasons. He rushed for 3,843 yards, a career record at Alabama, on 638 carries. His 46 rushing touchdowns also stand as a career record. He added an additional 781 yards and 11 touchdowns on 80 receptions in the passing game to become the all-time leader in scrimmage yards and total touchdowns in Crimson Tide history.

Harris was a part of three teams that appeared in the College Football National Championship, winning two. He was a featured playmaker in his final season, as the Crimson Tide finished undefeated to win its 18th national title.

Harris's senior season was one to be remembered by Crimson Tide fans as he rushed for an SEC-leading 1,466 yards and 26 rushing touchdowns, which led the entire country. Harris finished 5th in the final Heisman Trophy standings. He was a consensus All-American and the winner of the Doak Walker award, granted to the top running back in college football. Harris was just the third Alabama rusher to win the award in its 30-year history, following Trent Richardson in 2011 and Derrick Henry in 2015.

Harris dealt with an ankle injury for most of the offseason. Though the injury wasn't considered serious, he was held out of the Senior Bowl game and opted not to run a 40-yard dash for NFL scouts.