Alabama star running back Damien Harris has decided to return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season rather than enter the NFL draft, sources told AL.com.

Harris ran for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns this season after running for 1,040 yards and two scores as a sophomore in 2016.

This is big and likely somewhat surprising news for the Crimson Tide as people in the NFL draft world viewed Harris as one of the top NFL prospects among draft-eligible running backs and as a potential early-round draft pick.

So, even with Bo Scarbrough's decision to turn pro, the Tide will again have a deep and talented running back group as Josh Jacobs, Najee Harris and Brian Robinson will all be back in addition to Harris.

Harris ranked seventh nationally with an average of 7.4 yards per carry and ran for 71.4 yards per game despite getting just 9.6 carries per game.

When we won the natty and you find out your father staying for another year @DHx34 pic.twitter.com/ffjPDaiVJi — Mac Jones (@MacJones_10) January 10, 2018

When @DHx34 is staying for senior year .... pic.twitter.com/GxMSgI3loz — Miller Forristall (@mcforristall) January 10, 2018

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.