Juco CB sets up two SEC visits

The 5' 11", 183 pound cornerback out of El Camino College arrived with little fanfare but has blossomed into one of the country's top juco prospects.

"I went to South Miramar (in Miami, FL) and did not sign with anyone out of high school," added Michael Harris. "I knew someone in (the city of) Miami that had a good connection to El Camino College, and that is how I ended up out here."

Michael entered El Camino as a skinny 5' 11", 160 pound cornerback but knew he had to put on some muscle to get to where he needed to be.

"I have put on about 25 pounds since I got here, and that is something I will have to continue to work on. The added weight has helped me out a lot with staying injury free and playing the bigger receivers. It has also helped me with the run support. I am a lot better in the running game since I got here."

Harris earned a starting job at right corner his freshman season and collected 40 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a team high 16 pass breakups. The recruiting attention started to come his way.

"The DB coach for Alabama came to a spring practice of ours and offered me. Arizona started getting in contact with me after that, and now I have a bunch of good D1 offers."

This season Mike has collected 30 solo tackles, 3 interceptions (which two have been brought back to the house), 6 pass breakups, and he has also scooped up a fumble for a TD.

"I think I am ready for the next level now. I just needed to get stronger and bigger to become a more complete cornerback. Like I said, I will have to continue to get bigger and stronger, but I am strong enough and big enough to make an impact now."

Harris took in his first official visit in October to Alabama and came away impressed.

"I like the situation there. They do not have too many guys coming back at cornerback, and I can probably get some early playing time there. I liked the atmosphere of Game Day in that stadium. Everybody in that town loves Alabama football. I also liked the atmosphere around the locker room. Coach Saban and his staff respect the players and treat them with respect."

The Tide were also the first school to start recruiting Mike.

"When they sent their DB coach to come scout me this Spring, I have been staying in touch with them every week ever since. They were the first school to get in contact with me and the first school to stay in phone contact with me. Arizona came in right after they did."

The Miami native is headed back to SEC country next weekend.

"I am going down to Auburn for an official visit for the Iron Bowl. They just started calling me a couple weeks back. I have been talking to Coach Lolly about the guys they have coming back at my position. They need an older guy like me to come in December and compete for a spot. I know they play good football, and I want to just go down there and take a look around."

The following weekend; he heads back down to another SEC school.

"I am going down to Ole Miss the first weekend of December. They just started calling me too. Coach Vaughn told me that he is graduating both of his starting cornerbacks, and he only has a few freshmen coming back. He did not know if they were ready to play, and he needs an older guy to come in there and lock down a spot. I was able to see Ole Miss play a couple of times on TV this season, like this past weekend against Tennessee, and they really impressed me so I want to go down there and check it out."

Who else is involved?

"Arizona and FSU. I have a lot more offers, but those five are the ones I am talking to the most right now. I have not set up anything with Arizona or FSU yet, but I will definitely be visiting them in December. I graduate in December so I do not have much time left to get in all of these visits, but those five schools will be the ones that I will visit."

What stands out about Arizona?

"I just like the history that Coach Stoops has in coaching good DB's. He coached at Miami for a while. Coach Stoops told me that I have a good opportunity because they are losing both of their starting cornerbacks. I know I will get good coaching if I go there, and I have been talking to them for a while. They are just eager to get me in there and get going."

Florida State gives him the opportunity to go back to his home state.

"I grew up watching FSU football so that definitely is something I want to take a hard look at. It is closer to home too, and Coach Coley said he is losing some veterans at corner and needs an older guy to come in and play. Coach Coley told me that Terrell Buckley is helping out now with the DB's, and he told Coach Coley that I have good instincts and great ball skills. I definitely want to look into that situation a lot closer."

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Yancy Porter is the Recruiting Manager for the State of Mississippi and he can be reached at [e-mail]