WATCH: Damien Harris reveals which SEC school he nearly picked over Alabama

It’s Jan. 9, 2015. The state of Kentucky’s first five-star recruit since Micah Johnson is about to make his decision on where he’ll play college football. In front of Damien Harris sits three hats: Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio State.

Hearing Damien Harris’s story of how he ended up at Bama is the definition of divine intervention pic.twitter.com/nsodZwq86F

— Cruz Oxenreider (@TheRealCruzOx) April 21, 2022

Madison Central High School’s gymnasium in Berea, Kentucky, is packed to the brim with classmates, teammates, family, media and some Kentucky football players. Lynn Harris, Damien’s mother, leaned over to him before the event began, saying “you still haven’t told me where you were going.”

“Oh, my bad, I’m going to Kentucky,” the No. 9 rusher in Alabama football history said.

The decision made sense. UK was only 40 minutes up I-75, and Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops and company had done everything in their ability to nab the biggest recruit of his tenure. Stoops was looking to pair Harris in the backfield with another top prospect who would commit to Kentucky in the summer of 2015 — Mac Jones.

It turns out the pair did work well together on the collegiate and professional levels, though in a twist of fate, neither would be in Lexington.

“I’ve decided that I’m going to further my education and get a degree and continue my football career at the University of Alabama,” Harris said, though pausing to take a deep breath before making his final decision. Jones would de-commit from UK and elect to enroll at Alabama instead.

He said his intentions were pick up the Kentucky hat, but his instincts picked up the Alabama hat.

“I was 100 percent planning on going to Kentucky,” Harris said. “I just picked the Alabama hat up. Like I don’t know how or why … in the moment, it was like somebody had my hand and they picked the Alabama hat up and put it on my head. I was just like, this is what is meant to be.”

Harris would go on to have one of the best four-year careers of any running back in Alabama history. Between 2015 and 2018, Harris rushed for 3,070 yards on 477 carries (6.4 yards per carry) and 23 touchdowns. His tenure would include a national championship (2017) and three SEC Championships (2015, 2016 and 2018) and would result in him being selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft to the New England Patriots.

Kentucky fans are left with major ‘what if’ scenarios regarding Harris’ would-be tenure with the Wildcats. Though, Harris’ collegiate career coincided with Wildcat legend and all-time leading rusher Benny Snell Jr.

Ask a Kentucky fan, they’ll probably tell you they wouldn’t have had it any other way, though.