Alabama Crimson Tide football players like senior running back Najee Harris are happy just to be playing football in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There were a lot of uncertainties coming into this season, especially around this building. The energy level was like, are we going to play or not?” Harris said Tuesday at the players’ press conference. “To let us play, it was a lot of relief on our side, the coaches too, the players, everybody in Alabama, really. It could have been taken away from us and for us, to let us play, you know, was an honor, to let us play during tough times.”

Now, No. 2 Alabama’s season kicks into high gear in its second game – and first in Tuscaloosa’s Bryant-Denny Stadium – with a Saturday matchup with No. 13 Texas A&M.

Harris and sophomore Jordan Battle, a first-year starter at safety, praised the younger players for learning quickly, helping with game preparation and being able to contribute in games. Harris said the loss of receivers Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy to the NFL has been offset by the emergence of sophomore John Metchie III and “a lot of young guys. … We’ve still got depth at receiver.”

Battle said starting quarterback Mac Jones and backup Bryce Young help the defense get ready for A&M quarterback Kellen Mond.

“Jones, he can run. … He throws the ball very well, so he’s very much of a dual threat,” Battle said. “And we’ve got Bryce Jones, who is very much of a dual threat as well. So practicing against those guys is going to be great preparation.” The Aggies’ solid defense has drawn Harris’ attention.

“They really do a good job of stopping the run. Their safeties play a huge part in the running game,” he said. “The whole front four is all huge. They’ve all got size and they all can move. It’s going to be another challenge for us. But us as a team is ready for the challenge, like always.”

Alabama’s Najee Harris, Jordan Battle talk about their team and Texas A&M from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.