VIDEO: Damien Harris Credits Scott Cochran for His 2017 Success

Alabama junior running back Damien Harris has taken hold of the starting running back position after a breakout first seven games of the season.

Not many people were hyping Harris entering the season with the Crimson Tide's roster full of four and five-star players, but the Kentucky native has become one of the nation's top backs. He's averaging a ridiculous 9.19 yards per carry and is tied for 2nd in the conference with nine touchdowns.

While he's always been a productive runner for Alabama, Harris has taken his game to another level and he credits his offseason workouts and conditioning for that.

"I've got to give Coach Cochran credit for that," Harris said. "I worked really hard with him over the offseason to improve on a lot of things. The results are kind of paying off of all the hard work we went through."

He's scored in all but one game this season as he's developed into a key piece to an Alabama offense that ranks 7th nationally in rushing and 9th nationally in scoring.

"It doesn't matter who makes the play. It doesn't matter how the play is made. As long as we're productive on offense and we're moving the ball, keeping the defense off the field, and putting points on the board, that's really what's important to us."

Harris and the Crimson Tide will face the SEC's worst rushing defense this weekend in Tennessee.