01-09-2008, 05:15 PM
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I don't want to play fair I'm a thugs-are-us coach
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 591
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Total Points: 6,385.26
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Harris Has Much to Do
WALTER VILLA
Special to FloridaFB.com
1/8
Quote:
We already knew that Brandon Harris was a shut-down corner.
As it turns out, he's also a shut-up corner.
The star cornerback from Miami's Booker T. Washington High School could earn the latter moniker because of the way he has kept a tight lip on what college he will choose on Feb. 7, which is National Signing Day.
So far, he has made official visits to two colleges - Florida in September and LSU in October.
"I enjoyed both visits," said Harris, a 5-10, 175-pound senior who led BTW to its first-ever Class 4A state championship this season. "They both have that college-type atmosphere where the whole town supports the team.
"The two games I went to see (Tennessee at Florida and Florida at LSU), it seemed like there were not only 100,000 fans in the stadium but also 100,000 fans outside that couldn't get tickets.
"I wasn't used to that type of support."
That last comment could be construed as a dig at the University of Miami, a school he is also considering strongly. The Hurricanes are not known for having the best fan support.
However, the Canes have won more national titles than any other school the past quarter-century and have sent more players to the NFL, facts Harris said he is factoring in to his decision.
The Canes also have commitments from two of Harris' BTW teammates - wide receivers Davon Johnson and Thearon Collier. Two more former BTW players are on the current Canes roster - defensive tackle Antonio Dixon and cornerback Chavez Grant.
The Canes hope to use all those connections to their advantage when Harris makes his official visit on Jan. 24. He will also visit Ohio State on Jan. 11. Previously, he made unofficial visits to Rutgers and Florida State.
Those six schools remain in the running for Harris' services. He will make his fifth official visit to either Tennessee, Wisconsin, South Florida or Central Florida.
Harris said if he does not visit a school, officially or unofficially, he won't choose them on National Signing Day.
What makes all these big-time colleges want Harris?
He has the speed (4.45 in the 40-yard dash), smarts (4.2 grade-point average) and skills (6 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, 3 sacks and 32 solo tackles) that all colleges desire. His numbers could have been even more impressive had teams not avoided throwing his way most of the season.
True, he lacks great height at 5-10, but he makes up for it with exceptional leaping ability. He has been tested at 37 inches vertical leap and can dunk a basketball.
And while he may not appear to be very strong at 175 pounds, don't let that number fool you.
"I saw him lay a guy out on a block," Miami Herald reporter Manny Navarro said. "I saw him truck guys when they put him at safety in the state title game. And he's tough, too. He played the regional final game vs. Dwyer on a swollen ankle."
Harris said he allowed just 5 pass completions on him this season - the definition of a shut-down corner. Only one receiver got by him for a touchdown - Eric Adeyemi of Miami Southridge.
"We were winning 42-0 and there were just two minutes left in the game," Harris said in what for him is a painful memory. "Our second team was in the game, and we were trying for our 8th straight shutout.
"But when Southridge got to our 3-yard line, our coaches rushed the starters back in to try to keep the shutout streak."
Not fully prepared, Harris got beat on a 3-yard fade route by Adeyemi.
Harris said Adeyemi and South Carolina prep star A.J. Green of Summerville were the best receivers he faced all season.
That is, of course, unless you count Harris' teammates - Johnson and Collier.
"I will take my guys any day," said Harris, who was named Florida's Gatorade Player of the Year. "They gave me a battle every day in practice."
Whether Harris will join Johnson and Collier at UM in 2008 remains to be seen. Harris' brother, Tim Jr., is a track star at UM. But Harris said that will play no role in his decision because Tim is graduating this spring.
Harris is close to his parents, Tim Sr., the head coach at BTW, and his mom Chonita, but he let it be known that he likes to travel and that leaving home won't be hard on him if that is what he decides.
So what will be the key factors in his decision?
"I have to feel comfortable with the environment, the coaches and the defensive schemes they run," Harris said. "I will also look at the graduation rates and the weight program with the strength and conditioning coach."
Harris said fans will have to wait a bit for his final answer.
"I want to announce it on Signing Day," Harris said. "I want to have several hats there (on stage) and then put on the one where I'm going to school. I think it will be more enjoyable to do it that way."
Fun for Harris, sure, but nerve-wracking for football fans and college coaches.
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Either way Sweat is doing some work down in Florida for us. Also, Harris looks absolutely fantastic in practice and returned a pick all the way for a TD.
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