By virtue of playing in college for LSU and Alabama, respectively, Ja’Marr Chase and Najee Harris have faced each other often and are natural rivals.

That’ll continue in the NFL now that Harris is a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back and Chase a rookie wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. They’ll be on opposite sidelines for the second time as professionals Sunday during an AFC North showdown.

“Ja’Marr Chase (is) my dude,” Harris told reporters after practice Friday. “I played against him in college, too. We trained together during the combine. I’m happy he’s doing good.”

Chase is doing better, many would contend, than merely “good.” Only two players have more receiving touchdowns (eight) this season. Only one active player has a better average yards per reception (18.4).

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— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 26, 2021

It’s a productive enough season so far that Chase is among the short list of favorites to win AP offensive rookie of the year. Bet MGM sportsbook, for example, lists him as having the second-best odds behind New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Harris, who last season led Alabama to the national championship, is third.

Jones is second in the NFL in completion percentage (70.2%), and only two NFL quarterbacks have more wins as a starter (eight) in 2021.

For his part, Harris is seventh in the league in rushing yards (685), sixth in yards from scrimmage (1,022) and tied for 15th in offensive touchdowns (seven). He sounds unmoved by a race for rookie of the year.

“Be more than one person ‘eating’ as a rookie, know what I mean?” Harris said. “We all can share. It ain’t gotta be a competition all the time.”

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