The Steelers signed rookie running back Najee Harris, the team's No.1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Harris, who played at the University of Alabama, finished his college career as the Crimson Tide's all-time leading rusher with 3,843 career yards. He also led the school in all-time touchdowns with 57, including a school-record 46 rushing touchdowns and another 11 receiving. Harris' 4,624 all-purpose yards rank second in school history.
Harris rushed for 100 plus yards 13 times in his career, including six both his junior and senior seasons. He won the Doak Walker Award, presented to the top running back in college football, in 2020 and was a unanimous first-team All-American (Associated Press, AFCA, FWAA, The Sporting News and Walter Camp).
Harris said during the team's rookie minicamp that the key for him is to just come in and learn.
"I just came in here to learn the offense and bond with some of the guys here," said Harris. "The main goal is to get better each day. That's it.
"I am starting back to step one, all the basics. More explosive footwork, have better eyes catching the ball, be a more explosive player. The competition level, the difference between college and NFL is two different places. The NFL you play against the best. It's all about starting with step one and building all of the way up. Every time you reach a new pinnacle in life, I want to start at step one and work my way up."
Harris, who was a leader for the Crimson Tide, admitted that the leadership role is one he plans on building with experience with the Steelers, but when he was asked if he would just 'blend in,' it became clear he isn't one to take a back seat.
"Well, I would never try to blend in nowhere. I try to stand out in my own way. I am me. I feel like I always stand out," said Harris. "Becoming a leader, I feel like that comes in time. I barely know the offense. The veterans aren't here. I haven't met them. Trying to move at a fast pace, it's always about taking things step by step by step. When it comes that time to become a leader, then it is. It's not something I am thinking about. It's just learning the offense, my teammates, that type of person they are bonding with them, so I can become someone they can trust and find ways to help them out if I can and from there, what happens, happens."
Take a look at the best black and white photos of the Steelers' first-round pick Najee Harris after the 2021 NFL Draft
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) arrives in Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris arrives in Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) poses for a photo after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) poses for a photo after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) poses for a photo after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris arrives in Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) poses for a photo after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris arrives in Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris arrives in Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) arrives in Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) poses for a photo after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) poses for a photo after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris tours Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) poses for a photo after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris arrives in Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) poses for a photo after being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
First-round pick Najee Harris arrives in Pittsburgh after the NFL Draft, Friday, April 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
