Pittsburgh Steelers team reporter, Missi Matthews caught up with running back, Najee Harris, after Organized Team Activities (OTA’s) Tuesday afternoon to discuss the first year Pro Bowler's off-season activities. Matthews asked Harris specifically what he did this off-season before OTA's, and Harris said he made his way to the Lone Star State:
“I was in Texas, that’s where I train at. I was in Houston, Texas; I train out there with O Athletik. There is a guy out there named 'Coop,' I trained with him during the off-season after my Pro Day. I got connected with him from Adrian Peterson. I like what he was doing, so that’s where I train at during the off-season.”
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris trains with former All-Pro NFL running back, Adrian Peterson. | Twitter: @ohthatsNajee22
Harris has forged a solid relationship with the O Athletik gym, owned by former NFL superstar Adrian Peterson, and All-Pro left tackle, Trent Williams. The facility opened in May of 2016 and Harris is referring to James Cooper who is Peterson’s long-time trainer. Cooper is also a partner in the 35,000 square foot state of the art facility.
Matthews asked Harris, “What are some of the things you do when training?” He responded:
“It's multiple things, it's something like I watch film and see what I need to focus on mainly. Maybe the weight room if I need to focus on lower body, upper body strength. If I want to work on picking up my knees while running, I work on that. Then the cardio aspect, like I got swimming.”
Harris has reported to camp in phenomenal shape. He has risen to 244 pounds, but when measured in camp has only 6% body fat. The added muscle is noticeable and based on Harris already matching Derrick Henry in yards after contact during the 2021 season at 2.2 yards per attempt, the extra muscle may allow him to pass Henry as the premiere power back in all of football. Harris continued:
“I trained with boxers too, their cardio is amazing. Then I boxed too. I kind of started liking boxing. So now I box more, put that in my workout. It is multi, all kind of things I do, it’s a lot of things. For running back, I don’t think you can focus on one thing if you want to be an all-purpose back. You got to focus on catching, sprinting, cardio, agilities, cuts. You got to focus on vision, pass blocking, so it’s a lot of things that I do.”
Hopefully, Harris is wearing headgear and using Socker Boppers for gloves. Boxing is a great cardio workout and going three rounds of three minutes just punching a heavy bag will wear out your average weekend warrior. The Steelers I am sure are not willing to risk a head injury for Harris, no matter how much he loves his newfound passion for the sweet science. I am sure after hearing him remark on his work out routine, Omar Khan is reminding him that the heavy bag is fine, but leave the sparring to Canelo Alvarez.
You can watch the whole interview on YouTube here.
Harris as noted by CJ Lester at SteelerNation.com last week has the look of Henry and Peterson in OTA’s which is high praise indeed. Harris has a lot to prove in 2022, and Pro Football Focus has been disparaging him as the worst first round pick from 2020 and the 30th ranked running back according to them in 2021 (despite his top 5 finish in yards and 10 touchdowns). It is encouraging for Steeler Nation to see Harris work out so diligently in the off-season to come back bigger and stronger for 2022.
He has to know how heavily the Steelers will rely on his production and seems not just excited, but ready for the challenge ahead. It should be a comfort to head coach Mike Tomlin to know that he can line Harris up behind Derek Watt or Connor Heyward and play some good old fashioned Steelers smash mouth football. The improvement of the interior of the Steelers line (from bringing in Mason Cole and James Daniels and allowing Kendrick Green to compete with Kevin Dotson) should enable, if necessary, the Steelers to play ball control methodical down hill offense that would make Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher smile.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you excited about the prospects of Harris restoring the run first Steelers of old, or are you going to long for the aerial attack of Ben Roethlisberger’s heyday? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
