Harris looking for Michigan attention
Although he'll be transferring from Niles (Ill.) Notre Dame to Janesville (Wisc.) Parker this fall, two-way lineman Juan Harris will be leaving behind something of a legacy at his previous school. The 2017 prospect became one of the first freshmen to contribute on varsity for the Dons last fall, and did so impressively.
"I broke a record 27-year record at Notre Dame for the freshmen," he said. "My head coach had never had a freshman that moved up and started for the varsity, but as far as the school record I was first person to ever start the whole entire season as a freshman. I think in 1968 a guy played up but he never got as much playing time.
Advertisement
"It went well, even though I didn't get as many defensive reps as I wanted to. I set a record on the team for pancakes, I had 168 pancakes. On defense I had five forced fumbles, two tackles for loss, and 10 tackles. I only played about 20 downs on defense."
The 6-3, 350-pounder clearly has size beyond his years, but that's something he's working on reducing to be more fit going forward. He was able to contribute as a freshman for Niles Notre Dame, and Janesville Parker should be getting a slimmer version of the same player. While maintaining his strength - he self-reports a 405-pound bench press and a 705-pound squat maximum - he wants to be in shape.
"I hear from a lot of college coaches and a lot of retired NFL players that train me to lose weight," he explained. "I want to get faster, because I already have the strength. I've pretty much got the strength, but if I can't play for four quarters fully to the best my ability, then doesn't count. That doesn't matter unless you can play a full game."
Harris already has three offers, from Wisconsin, Utah, and Virginia, and is hearing from other schools, including Michigan and some other Big Ten heavy-hitters. Two of the three schools that have pulled the trigger on him make his early top five, along with some bigtime national programs.
One of them - soon to be his home-state school - has made separation early in the process.
"I've been thinking really hard about committing to Wisconsin," he admitted. "I've still got more time, I want to see what more schools have to offer. A lot of players commit early, and then other schools don't look at them. Then if they made the wrong decision, they don't have an option with LSU or a school like that. I just have to be patient and see what schools have to offer. I have a top five: Wisconsin, Ohio State, Virginia, Alabama, and Ole Miss that's my top five right there.
"I mean just Wisconsin's program, personally [has them on top]. They have a great academic program as far as what they have to offer and within the Big Ten. As far as the football program, they just run the ball straight down your throat. I like that as a defensive tackle or offensive guard: they take it to you. I like that program running the ball."
Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State are on his visit list for the season, and although he hasn't set up those trips yet, they're looking for him to make a trip.
"Wisconsin is going to be where I see most. Michigan State, Michigan, and lot of Midwest schools: Ohio State is another visit that I will be going to see."
"I haven't been in direct contact with Michigan's coaches but I will soon," he said. "I'm just trying to get in contact with Michigan. I think if I have a good beginning of the season I can have an offer from Michigan. My coach thought the offer is going to come from talking to the defensive coordinator [and area recruiter Greg Mattison]. I know they've got a great school. I know Michigan has one of the top academic programs in the nation."
If Harris is patient with his commitment date - something he plans to be - the Wolverines will have a shot to get in the mix for the massive (and massively strong) young player.
Click Here to view this Link.
Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
Bring TheWolverine.com to your mobile platform. Download the app for either the iPhone or Android platforms.
Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @JB_Wolverine, @Balas_Wolverine, @Spath_Wolverine, @TimS_Wolverine, and @BSB_wolverine
Share this story: