Arkansas Class of 2016 LB Commit De’jon Harris Talks Recruiting and Louisiana Championship Game vs. Zachary

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

In a true team sport where the game does not allow one player to carry a respective team to win after win without the contributions of teammates, it becomes difficult to place the importance of a standout player that does a little bit of everything for a high achieving squad against the rest of his peers. In 2015 John Ehret exceeded a lot of expectations surpassing their 2014 record of 9-2 coming up with a 12-2 mark and still have a Louisiana State Championship Game contest coming up against Zachary High School.

The success of the Patriots is truly placed upon the shoulders of the entire team but one player in particular, De’jon Harris, is in a class all his own on the Louisiana high school gridiron. Harris mixes it up on defense knocking ball carriers on their backside as a linebacker and then frustrates opposing defensive coordinators and special teams coaches as a running back, Wildcat quarterback, and kickoff and punt returner.

When John Ehret head coach Corey Lambert lines Harris up anywhere on the field, great things are sure to happen. Harris’ stat line is jaw dropping considering all the snaps he receives at key positions across the field. On offense the Class of 2016 standout has 105 carries for 1,140 yards with 16 touchdowns while adding 15 receptions for 425 yards with four more scores. More than just a running Wildcat quarterback, he also has completed 30 passes for 375 yards with another four scores.

On defense, Harris is a hard hitting explosive linebacker coming up with 80 stops, 63 solo, 13 tackles for a loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception, one fumble recovery, and three pass breakups.

Colleges like Harris no matter how they can get him with the majority recruiting him to play linebacker at the next level. The outcry for the Marrero area talent has been strong considering he verbally committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks on May 21. Harris has still collected double-digit offers with programs like Arizona State, Western Kentucky, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Colorado, Arkansas State, Tulane, Troy, Central Florida, Southern Miss, Memphis, and Oregon. A few colleges yet to offer are still making a run at Harris as well.

The Razorbacks are getting a player still growing into his potential. He entered offseason camps somewhere in the neighborhood of 5’11”, 230 pounds. Harris has grown a couple of inches now listed at 6’1”, 238 pounds, making him a candidate to play on the outside or inside at the next level.

Ahead of John Ehret’s championship game against Zachary on Dec. 12, I caught up with De’jon to go over his senior season to date and get a recruiting news update.

Interview

De’jon, first off, the Patriots have had a great season to date, congratulations.

“Thank you.”

You guys won a 7-6 nail biter against Mandeville to advance to the championship game. Was the team worried about ending the season against Mandeville?

“We knew our defense was tough, we’ve only been giving up seven points a game on average this season. We were confident that we would win.”

You are everywhere on the field, how is the physical and mental wear and tear during the game jumping back and forth from linebacker to quarterback and to running back?

“I’m used to it now. I get a couple of breathers on the defensive side.”

You’re having a standout season at running back but are being recruited as a linebacker. Which position do you like better now, running back or linebacker?

“I like linebacker better than quarterback but it is tough to choose between running back and linebacker.”

Has Arkansas talked to you about playing some running back at the next level?

“Not really. They have talked about using me in some short yardage packages at quarterback.”

What are the things you do well at linebacker?

“I’m smart in what I do. I react fast, and I’m big and fast. I come down hill fast and I can cover a lot of ground. I’m also good at covering backs, tight ends, and wide receivers if I have to.”

What are the things you do well at running back that makes you so productive?

“It takes a lot to take me down and I’m dangerous with the ball in my hands.”

Have any of the Louisiana publications started releasing their all-star teams yet?

“I don’t think all of them have. I know I was nominated for top athlete in our district.”

Looking ahead to the Zachary game, are you getting excited for the showdown?

“I’m very excited. We’ve been waiting on this since my freshman year.”

How does John Ehret match up against Zachary?

“Our defense vs. their offense, I think 75 percent of their team does not match our physicality. The have a good quarterback (Lindsey Scott – Syracuse commit) and a good wide receiver (Douglas Coleman – uncommitted). I don’t think they’ll match our offensive output.” (OC Kellton Hollins is committed to TCU)

Switching to recruiting, what drew you to commit to Arkansas early in your recruiting process?

“The relationship I have with Coach (Vernon) Hargraves (linebackers) and Coach (Robb) Smith (defensive coordinator/secondary). I also have a good relationship with Coach B (Bret Bielema – head coach). My head coach always talks about making sure about a right fit when picking a school. They want me more than any other program. I think Arkansas is the right fit.”

Are other schools still coming after you trying to flip you away from the Razorbacks?

“Yeah, Cal is making a push. LSU past by and the other day and some other schools are sending me messages.”

Have you taken any official visits yet?

“I have only taken one, I went to Oregon (Sept. 25). I’m going to Colorado, I think in January, Cal, sometime in January, and to Arkansas.”

When are you officially visiting Arkansas?

“We have not set that up yet.”

With the upcoming official visits still pending, would you say you are a hard, medium, or soft commit to Arkansas?

“I’m a hard commit, no other program has changed my mind.”

What is drawing you to take an official visit to Cal?

“I have family in California. I just want to look at their program but not enough to make me change my mind about Arkansas.”

Are you helping recruit other players to Arkansas?

“Yes. I’ve been talking to Kristian Fulton (DB Rummel), St. Augustine tight end Jamal Pettigrew (LSU commit), and D’andre Christmas-Giles (St. Augustine), he’s a Tennessee defensive tackle commit.

Are you making any headway with those guys?

“They said they give it a look. Fulton had an in-home visit with Arkansas. He said it went well.”

Is there a player at the NFL or college ranks you watch a lot of film on taking notes on how they play the game?

“I watch a lot of Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks).”

What are some of the similar playing traits you take onto the field of play as Wagner?

“My reaction to the ball, my approach to the game, and covering the pass.”

Do you play any other sports for John Ehret?

“I play basketball and I practice with the track team.”

Are you a pretty good basketball player?

“That is my favorite sport.”

Do you have interest in playing basketball at the collegiate level?

“No, I’m not interested in playing basketball at the next level.”

I’ll get you out of here on this one. What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I just have a passion for the game, I’ve been playing since I was six-years-old.”

De’jon, thanks for your time today and good luck against Zachary.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Harris family; De’jon at Arkansas

Photo credit: nola.com; Harris defends a pass for John Ehret.