Chino Hills RB commits to Fresno State
During his official visit to the school, Chino Hills running back Michael Harris verbally committed to Fresno State on Sunday.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior was also offered scholarships by Utah, San Diego State and Minnesota, the only other school he visited. Fresno State was the only school of his prospects to guarantee Harris he'd play running back as opposed to defensive back.
"It's most of the reason I committed to Fresno," Harris said. "The coaches were very honest with me. Everything they told me was real. I pretty much knew on my way up there I was going to commit but I just wanted to see the campus and everything to make sure."
Harris cancelled trips to San Diego State and Utah.
Despite missing two games and all but one play of a third with a sprained ankle, Harris rushed for 999 yards and 12 touchdowns on 169 carries his senior season. After watching the Huskies lose two league games duing his absence, still bothered by the injury Harris returned for to run for 144 yards and a score Chino Hills' final game of the season. But it wasn't enough in a 33-17 loss to Damien that prevented Chino Hills from making the playoffs for the first time in Harris' career.
As a junior, Harris ran for 1,450 yards and 21 TD's, averaging 7.8 yards per carry and 132 yards per game for the 8-3 Huskies. Had he not been injured this season, Harris thought he might have been more sought after.
"I think I could have had a lot better season," he said, "but things happen."
Fresno State's leading rusher this season was freshman Ryan Mathews (145-866, 14 TD). The Bulldogs second-leading rusher, Clifton Smith, is graduating but sophomores Lonyae Miller and Anthony Harding, each of whom topped 100 carries, will return to the rotation.
As the only running back in the Fresno State's recruiting class thus far, Harris has reason to believe he could slide into that four-man rotation next season.
"The coaches told me if I come ready to play I'll be in the rotation," Harris said. "If they don't think I'm ready they might pull me out and redshirt me. I've watched them on TV and they use all four running backs. It's the perfect system for me."
Much like the offense at Chino Hills, Fresno State's base formation is the power-I. The Bulldogs, who went 9-4 and finished third in the WAC this season behind Hawaii and Boise State, run the spread occasionally, too.
Aside from formations and rotations, the most important thing to Harris is that he'll be on the offensive side of the ball.
"With (Fresno State) I'm a straight up tailback," he said. "I get to have the the ball in my hands. I've been a running back my whole life. I want the ball in my hands. It's a big relief to be committed. I feel like Fresno is the place for me."
Comments
Congrats Michael. You are an outstanding football player and well deserving of this scholarship. I wish you the best!
Roddy Layton
Head Football Coach
Diamond Ranch HS
Posted by: Coach Layton | January 17, 2008 5:43 AM