RUNNING BACK, SOUTH CAROLINA, NFL DRAFT ELIGIBLE IN 2022
Kevin Harris is a 5’10” 227 lbs. running back that was a former three-star recruit. He was 247’s 44th ranked running back in the 2019 class. When reviewing his high school tape, Harris was most likely overlooked for two reasons. He played at a smaller high school and his offensive line at his high school was very effective, minimizing both the need and opportunity for him to break tackles.
PAST PRODUCTION (COLLEGE STATS)
The sophomore sensation broke out this season despite being featured in a backfield that suffered from some of the worst QB play in the nation. Harris piled up 1138 rushing yards on just 185 attempts for 6.2 ypc and also punched in 15 TDs. He also chipped into the passing game with 21 receptions for another 159 yards and another score. He was also a player your author featured in his weekly Draft Stock Watch article during the season as a player greatly on the rise.
Harris didn’t receive a ton of recognition during his true-freshman season as seniors Tavien Feaster and Rico Dowdle shared most of the backfield snaps in a disappointing 2019 campaign for the Gamecocks. Both of those RBs signed UDFA contracts with NFL teams after that.
Additionally, Harris also benefited this past year from his teammate Marshawn Lloyd’s torn ACL in his left knee during the preseason. Lloyd was a five-star recruit, the highest South Carolina had brought in at the RB position since Marcus Lattimore. It is hard to say how much the backfield would have been shared had Lloyd been healthy.
Still, Harris earned every touch he received this season. He displayed a skill set of outstanding vision, power, and balance. Harris is a smooth runner in the open field and he has more speed than you would expect, though he doesn’t have that home run speed. He has worked to lengthen his stride from his high school days, and that has helped with his acceleration and fluidity as a runner.
2021 OUTLOOK/PERFORMANCE
Although he will cede some touches to the aforementioned Marshawn Lloyd, Harris should be the focal point of the Gamecocks’ offense in 2021. New Head Coach Shane Beamer will need to lean on Harris and the offensive line, which returns four of five starters, while the passing game develops.
There is every reason to assume as good or better production out of Harris next season. He was already the only weapon South Carolina had offensively last season, and he still tore up the SEC. Moreover, he will have Lloyd there to help ease the load and keep him fresh.
While South Carolina is not traditionally a powerhouse for producing professional RBs (all due respect to Mike Davis), they have had success putting top-tier players into the NFL. Jadeveon Clowney, Stephon Gilmore, Alshon Jeffery, Deebo Samuel, and Javon Kinlaw serve as relatively recent testament.
DEVY ANALYSIS
What’s the outlook for the next 3-5 years?
Your author believes that Kevin Harris is currently the most underrated RB in devy circles. He has the size and traits to become a three-down back in the NFL. Assuming a healthy 2021 season, he will most likely declare for the NFL draft next season. This is because the 2022 draft class is relatively weak at RB. Additionally, he will not want to risk giving up more of a share of touches to Marshawn Lloyd were he to return to the Gamecocks his senior year.
This offseason is the time to act if you are an owner in devy leagues. Anticipate Kevin Harris’s value to rise over the offseason as he accumulates more preseason awards. Furthermore, if he repeats or improves on what he did last season, he could see his NFL Draft stock rise to day-two value. Harris has not had any injuries to this point in his career and he is built to last at just under 6 feet and 230 lbs.
BONUS!
What are the player’s strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths
- Outstanding power, strength, and contact balance
- Outstanding vision and conviction finding and accelerating through the hole
- Sturdy frame and proven production as an every-down back that can be leaned on
- More than capable receiving threat out of the backfield
Weaknesses
- Not highly recruited coming out of high school
- Will be caught from behind by NFL defensive backs on runs of more than 40 yards
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