Andre Harris believes Tennessee can help him reach his ultimate goal.
The offensive lineman from Lovejoy High School in Hampton, Ga., attended UT’s Junior Day on Saturday.
The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Harris is a high priority for the Vols’ 2009 signing class. They signed only two offensive linemen in the 2007 class and three in 2008.
Harris, who holds a scholarship offer from UT, said he’s taken notice to the Vols’ need at his position.
“It’ll be a pretty big factor,” he said. “If you’re needed, you’re most likely going to get playing time if you work hard during camp. I’d like to start as a freshman in college.”
Harris also has scholarship offers from Georgia, Georgia Tech, Maryland and Central Florida. He said he’s received strong interest from Florida, Auburn, Alabama and Clemson.
Harris wants to start as a freshman in order to keep pace with the timeline he’s set out for his football career.
“I have a really big goal in mind,” he said. “If I start as a freshman I could be ready to graduate by my junior year and be ready to leave after my junior year.”
If Harris were to leave college after three years, it would be to pursue a career in the NFL. He said he hopes to play professionally in order to provide a better life for his family.
“Just knowing I could put my mom and dad in a better house,” Harris said of his reasoning. “Everybody in my family would be happier.”
Harris sees UT as a school that can help prepare him for an NFL career. Harris, who said he’s followed the Vols since he was about 6 years old, pointed to UT’s tradition of sending players to the NFL.
“They have great prestige,” he said. “In order to win, you have to have plenty of good players.”
Lovejoy coach Al Hughes believes Harris can fall in that same line of players.
Hughes wasn’t ready to commit to Harris’ three-year college plan, but he does expect his star junior’s potential to lead him to the NFL.
“He’ll play on Sundays,” Hughes said. “Whether he goes in that amount of time, I don’t know. I know if he goes into a program he’ll be in the thick of things.”
Just like when Harris joined the thick of things as a freshman at Lovejoy and won the starting left tackle position.
Hughes said Harris, who hasn’t allowed a sack in his high school career, has the work ethic to prepare himself for the next level.
“He does all the things the right way,” Hughes said. “He’s the kind of guy you have to pinch yourself about. I’ll ask, ‘How do I deserve this?’ ”
Hughes has asked that question before. Two of his former players at Lovejoy — offensive linemen Anthony Parker and Chris Scott — have started a combined 41 games for UT.
Hughes said Harris is further along in his career than Parker and Scott were at the same point.
“He has that tenacity about him,” Hughes said of Harris. “(Parker and Scott) were great kids and great players and great athletes. It took them a little bit longer to mature.”
Harris hopes he matures quickly enough to be ready to start as a freshman in college. He said he knows a spot won’t be given to him.
“It would take a lot of work,” Harris said. “You’re not going to go anywhere and based off talent start as a freshman at a Division I college.”
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Volscars 2012
Bruce Pearl through the years
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 32
jhayes1911 writes:
Not to bring any negativity here but what about getting an education in the process. Although we need what we can get with more competition in the SEC, it's just kinda sad to read when all kids want to do is make it to the 'League'. I know his situation at home may not be the best but anything can happen and nothing is guaranteed. Nothing can take away that degree. Stay humble and GOD will get you through anything!
tenndave writes:
He did say he wanted to graduate his Hr. Year. His grades must be really high to have that kind of goal.
cjraney writes:
jhayes-
The kid states that his big goal is to GRADUATE after his junior year, and then go pro.
Sounds like a good hard-working kid. Sign him up.
1volgal writes:
Come aboard and me a vol there is nothing better.
jhayes1911 writes:
tenndave-I must have missed that part but I do see it now. I hope his grades are high to do that or he would have to red shirt then graduate by his junior year on the field. Going the traditional route takes some serious hours per semester with a lot of summer school. Glad your coming to UT!
Rockytop98 writes:
We need those who bleed orange, come on up to UT!! GO VOLS!!
bigbluevol writes:
It also is encouraging that he has been following us since he was 6.
redneckerson writes:
whoa now 1volgal, he's a high school kid and might misinterpret that message. (I'm assuming there was a typo; otherwise, looks like this kid's a lock - he won't get many offers better than that). BACK OFF - JUST KIDDING but that was too hard to resist.
Hunter writes:
Nobody would be on this kid's case if he were an aspiring engineer who would take 3 years of summer courses on top of regular load to graduate early. I think we're WAY too quick to judge athletes in this. Come on to Rocky Top and I hope you play well enough to make "The League."
GoVol writes:
This guy sounds like the type of young man we really need at UT...does he have brothers?
IdahoVol writes:
rabidvolfan - change your screen name! A true Vol fan would want all the best kids (especially those that seem to have their priorities right, like this one) to come here. If you think the coaching situation needs to change so be it, but if you are a fan why would you discourage great kids from coming. Whether you are satisfied with the records as of late, you can't argue about the number of kids that have gone from UT to the pros. Go root for Bama!
GreerVol22 writes:
rabid your foaming again, its embarrasing... let me get you a face diaper.
at this point, any kid with another SEC offer would be a good catch. We would love to have you, but BAMA pays better.
thesavageorange writes:
Drayton and Adkins are double teaming this kid.You can see Clawson's stamp on the lineman we are going after heavily.(by what he said about the line getting bigger)Another one they are really working on is Morgan Moses out of Richmond VA.6'7 345.By the way sjt18, Gilmore is from Rock Hill (SC), same place as Hefney.
thesavageorange writes:
rabidvolfan ,There are 40 Vols currently in the NFL>3rd in the nation, including 5 offensive lineman.That's not including the 4-6 that will make it onto NFL rosters from this yr's Sr's and Mayo.Why would they want to come to UT to ruin their careers?Dunno, I guess you should ask those 44-46 players.Ya think?
Col26ca writes:
rabidvolfan it makes no diffrence what the sport or the situation you are the winner as being the smartest SOB to post I think UT should just hire you and fire everyone else.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
rabidvolfan must be married to Debbie Downer from SNL...
He wouldn't want to win the $300 million Powerball, because that means he would have to pay $120 in taxes...
He's so pessimistic, he makes Moe Szyslak look like the freakin' bluebird of happiness...
If Bill Gates had a nickel for every negative post rabidvolfan has made on here, Gates would be a rich man...
Maybe rabidvolfan is in the final stage of rabies, and the dementia has vinally kicked in...
Anybody else?
jimr07 writes:
Rabidvolidiot---Peyton Manning, Al Wilson,Charlie Garner, Jamal Lewis, TRavis henry,James Stewart, Carl Pickens, Dale Carter, Leonard Little, Chad Clifton, Scott Wells, Donte Stallworth, Peerless Price, Jason Whitten, John Henderson, Albert Haynesworth, Deon Grant, Gibril Wilson just to name a few. All but little man are active today.
Why don't you take your venom and shove it.
Again, you are depriving a village somewhere in the world of having its own idiot.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
C'mon son and wear the orange. As sjt18 said, goals are set to be reached. Any DTs down that way? Or anywhere else.
Colliervol writes:
Sounds like we have another reincarnation of one of our banned brethren here. Another Deacon in the First Church of the Perpetually Disgruntled.
Rabidvol, you better stock up on the Tums and Prilosec. Phil Fulmer is your coach and will be for as long as HE desires. Know that and understand it. You may continue to beat that drum but I'm not wasting my time. I'd prefer to look on the positive side because that's all we can do at this point. In this instance, negativity is unproductive. If you keep doing it, it's only because you just like to hear yourself talk. Because nobody (least of all Mike Hamilton) at the top is listening.
thesavageorange writes:
rabidvolfan,Cedric Houston is not in the NFL.Mayo is leaving for the NFL b/c he is going to get serious $$$, and has already graduated, or will do so this spring.If I'm not mistaken 28 of those players have been since 2000, again not including our Sr's and Mayo.Just keeping you up to date rabid.Although for some "facts are the enemy of the truth".
thesavageorange writes:
2007 Pos Rd Pick Team
Justin Harrell DT 1 16 Packers
Robert Meachem WR 1 27 Saints
Arron Sears OT 2 35 Bucs
Turk McBride DE 2 54 Chiefs
Jonathan Wade CB 3 84 Rams
Marvin Mitchell LB 7 220 Saints
2006 Pos Rd Pick Team
Jason Allen DB 1 16 Dolphins
Parys Haralson DE 5 140 49ers
Omar Gaither LB 5 168 Eagles
Jesse Mahelona DT 5 169 Titans
Kevin Simon LB 7 250 Redskins
2005 Pos Rd Pick Team
Kevin Burnett OLB 2 42 Cowboys
Dustin Colquitt P 3 99 Chiefs
Cedric Houston RB 6 182 Jets
2004 Pos Rd Pick Team
Gibril Wilson DB 5 136 Giants
Troy Fleming RB 6 191 Titans
Mark Jones WR 7 206 Bucs
Scott Wells C 7 251 Packers
2003 Pos Rd Pick Team
Eddie Moore LB 2 49 Dolphins
Kelly Washiington WR 3 65 Bengals
Jason Whitten TE 3 69 Cowboys
Julian Battle DB 3 92 Chiefs
Aubrao Franklin DT 5 146 Ravens
Keyon Whiteside LB 5 162 Colts
Rashad Moore DT 6 183 Seahawks
Demetrin Veal DE 7 238 Falcons
2002 Pos Rd Pick Team
John Henderson DT 1 9 Jaguars
Donte Stallworth WR 1 13 Saints
Albert Haynesworth DT 1 15 Titans
Fred Weary OG 3 66 Texans
Will Overstreet DE 3 80 Falcons
Traphis Stephens RB 4 119 Bucs
Andre Lott DB 5 159 Redskins
Reggie Coleman OT 6 192 Redskiins
Teddy Gaines DB 7 256 49ers
Dominque Stevenson LB 7 260 Bills
2001 Pos Rd Pick Team
Travis Henry RB 2 58 Bills
Eric Westmoreland LB 3 73 Jaguars
David Leaverton P 5 142 Jaguars
Cedrick Wilson WR 6 169 49ers
David Martin TE 6 198 Packers
2000 Pos Rd Pick Team
Jamal Lewis RB 1 5 Ravens
Shaun Ellis DE 1 12 Jets
Raynoch Thompson LB 2 41 Cardinals
Chad Clifton T 2 44 Packes
Dwayne Goodrich DB 2 49 Cowboys
Cosey Coleman G 2 51 Bucs
Deon Grant DB 2 57 Panthers
Darwin Walker DT 3 71 Cardinals
Tee Martin QB 5 163 Steelers
rabid,your original question was this decade so here's a complete list.Since 2002 ther have been 36.
jimr07 writes:
rabidvolidiot--as Benjamin Franklin once said, it is better to keep your mouth shut and look like a fool than open it and remove all doubt.
Every time you open your mouth the idiotic venom comes spewing from your mouth, you, sir, are a pain in the butt.
dvols writes:
did he say anything about an inner hatred for alabama?
come on over!
Phowell23 writes:
Give him a break guys he's just a junior in High School. By the time he enters college his fellow players and new coaches will enforce the idea of getting to the NFL but also getting a great education to fall back on in case of injury. It only takes one play to destroy his career and everyone around him will remind him of that. If I was a junior in high school I would be wanting to graduate early in college and make millions of dollars as well.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
If I had a dollar for every brain that rabidvolfan doesn't have... I'd have one dollar.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Hey big guy, go for it. People don't much get anywhere without a plan, and you hvae one.
You are very correct about one thing: UT will get you ready for the NFL. Lots of kids get drafted, lots go as free agents.
Good luck!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
rabidvolfan - son, I'd suggest you invest in some kevlar throwing that many darts. As you might have noticed, return fire is a given.
Beat the Gamecocks.
stroker writes:
thesavageorange jimr07 & sjt18 thank you
Colliervol writes:
rabid, even though it wasn't me who gave you the original list (jimr gets that honor), I trust that savageorange gave you all the info you needed. I only told you that Phil is your coach until he decides not to be. Enjoy.
As pd said, "return fire is a given" especially when you're just throwing junk against the wall to see what sticks.
posivol writes:
thats more like real vol fans,,,kick olerabidfool to the curb.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Sure miss ol' TDTN. Its a shame he saw the light.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Sure miss ol' TDTN. Its a shame he saw the light.
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