EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Jim Harbaugh started chasing Najee Harris nearly a decade in the past.
9 years in the past, Harbaugh, then the pinnacle coach on the College of Michigan, went all out to recruit Harris, a high participant within the 2017 highschool class. Harbaugh attended Harris’ homecoming recreation, sporting Harris’ Antioch Excessive Faculty colours and saying the varsity’s homecoming queen at halftime.
“I used to be identical to, what the heck?” Harris stated with a smile. “I imply, this dude is asking out simply doing every thing, however that confirmed how a lot of a down-to-earth cool man he’s.”
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Nonetheless, that wasn’t sufficient to lure Harris, who signed with the College of Alabama and was a first-round decide by the Pittsburgh Steelers within the 2021 NFL draft. After 4 years in Pittsburgh, nevertheless, Harbaugh lastly received Harris.
Harris, 27, signed a one-year take care of the Chargers earlier this week and stated that Harbaugh was a driving pressure in his choice.
“He is the identical man, man,” Harris stated. “He is at all times energetic, man. He is at all times the lifetime of the occasion, so he is only a good man to be round, all the way down to earth, and he makes you are feeling comfy.”
Harris stated he knew that his time in Pittsburgh was coming to an finish on the midway level final yr and that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was sincere with him all through the method.
“I did not plan on doing it,” Harris stated of leaving Pittsburgh. “It wasn’t one thing that was within the plan or something, however it’s a enterprise.”
Harris has rushed for 1,000 yards in every of his 4 seasons. The Chargers have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Melvin Gordon in 2017. Harris had 18 carries for 70 yards in a win over the Chargers final season.
“Once we performed towards them, I noticed the kind of crew that they are on the rise to be and I wished to be part of that,” Harris stated.
