Alabama notes: Big role for running back Damien Harris this season

TUSCALOOSA -- One of Alabama's more important freshman will be running back Damien Harris.

Outside of Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake, the Crimson Tide is thin at running back which means Harris could have a big role this season.

"He has done a good enough job that we have confidence that he can go out there and have a role in this game and play for us," Tide coach Nick Saban said. "He's shown a lot of toughness. He's a bright guy, so he's been able to learn his position. We're sort of counting on him being a player behind Derrick and Kenyan, and we have a lot of confidence that he can do well.

Harris, a former five-star prospect from Kentucky, is listed at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds. While he's only been on campus for a few months, he has teammates comparing him to former Alabama stars.

"He reminds me a lot of Mark (Ingram) or Trent (Richardson)," Kelly said. "Just a big guy who can run fast. Obviously, when he gets to the hole he's going to be hard to tackle."

Harris is listed as the No. 3 tailback behind Henry and Drake. But with the Tide hoping to move Drake around in multiple roles, Harris should see a good number of snaps this season.

"He's a good receiver as well as a good runner, and he's shown that he has a lot of toughness and resiliency," Saban said. "We're anxious to give him an opportunity."

<b>Payne a "man child"</b>

Against Wisconsin, Alabama's defense should be in its base 3-4 defense for a lot of the game as the Badgers feature more of a traditional offense and rushing attack.

With that, the Tide will play more of its bigger defensive linemen. That means freshman Daron Payne could have a role. Saban said Payne is a "very good player."

"He's very explosive, quick, can play with power and we're very pleased with the progress he's made," Saban said. "I think anytime you're talking about a freshman at any position, how rapidly they can develop the knowledge and experience to do the job the way the other players expect them to do it is really important. But I think that our players respect the fact that this guy has shown a lot of ability and has an opportunity to help us as an inside player."

Saban said the team has been giving him a "lot of reps" in preparation for the game. Payne is listed as a co-starter at nose guard along with Darren Lake.

Listed at 6-foot-2, 325 pounds, Payne ranked as a five-star prospect and the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama. He's living up to his lofty ranking during the Tide's workouts.

"He's been a man-child. He came in and stepped up," Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland said. "He's been working hard, and (defensive line) Coach Bo (Davis) has been on him because he knows he has to come in and play. So Coach Bo has been on him, Coach Saban has been on him, Coach (Kirby) Smart been on him, and he's been a man-child and doing what he has to do from day one since he got here."

Tide center Ryan Kelly faces Payne in practice on a regular basis. He said he's seen a lot of growth from Payne in the few months he's been here.

"He's just a big guy who plays really well with his hands," Kelly said. "Just a real physical guy. He's going to have a great future here and it'll be interesting to see how he does."

<b>Injury update</b>

In a bit of a surprise, Saban said there is a chance wide receiver Cam Sims could play against Wisconsin. Sims tore ligaments in his knee this spring and had surgery. He had spent all of preseason practice in a black, non-contact jersey. Less than two weeks ago, Saban said Sims had a "ways to go" and was "not going to be playing probably any time soon."

But that changed during Monday's workout as Sims was in a regular white jersey.

"Cam Sims is now back been back on the practice field and is now getting better, and is getting reps and playing," Saban said. "We'll see how he develops and probably make a call later in the week as to whether we can use him in this game or not."

Outside of Sims, wide receiver Parker Barrineau and offensive lineman Korren Kirven are still questionable for Saturday's game. The two returned to practice on Monday in a limited role.

"We just have to wait and see," Saban said. "Each one of those guys are in a little bit different position in terms of where they are in rehab. But those are the two guys that I think will be questionable as to whether they'll be able to play in this game."

<b>Saban on Griffith</b>

Alabama kicker Adam Griffith's health will be one of the more intriguing things to watch again this season. Griffith battled a stress fracture in his back in 2014, an injury he said felt like he as getting "stabbed in the back" every time he swung his leg.

Saban said Griffith has been fairly healthy so far this offseason.

"Fortunately for us so far in this camp we haven't had a lot of issues with that and he has had a good camp," Saban said. "We're confident in him and we want him to be confident in himself. I think when he executes it the way he's capable of, he's very effective, and that's what we're trying to help him develop that consistency."

Griffith was 12-of-19 on field goal attempts while making 53-of-54 extra point attempts last year.

Contact Anniston Star Sports Writer Marq Burnett at mburnett@annistonstar.com. On Twitter:@Marq_Burnett.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 11:03 PM with the headline "Alabama notes: Big role for running back Damien Harris this season ."