It’s coming up on one full year since linebacker Derrick Harris gave Texas a verbal commitment. In those 11-plus months, Harris has never wavered an inch from his decision. Not when Texas went through some coaching changes, including his position coach. Not when other colleges have tried to reach out to get him to reconsider. Not once.
Through it all, Harris has remained solid and been an active recruiter for the Longhorns behind the scenes. With new linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler now settled in, Harris said the two have developed a strong bond and his commitment is as solid as ever.
“That’s my guy. We talk every week. He always has something to laugh about. It’s a good relationship,” Harris said. “I come to him for anything. He just talks to me about life. We talk about football if I ask him stuff. He’s a great coach.”
A Rivals250 member out of New Caney, Harris chose Texas over Texas A&M last summer. He said there were a number of reasons that led him to his decision, including his trust in Tom Herman.
“It’s just how close it is from home. I’ve always wanted to go to Texas. Even with the old coaching staff to the new coaching staff, nothing changed,” Harris said. “They’ve always been solid with me and telling me things I need to work on. Coach Herman has been consistently there. He’s been texting me all the time since September 1.”
The 6-2 Harris and his New Caney teammates were briefly able to return to team off-season workouts before things were again shut down. Now, he’s training with former Longhorn Paul Boyette, working to build strength. Harris is currently tipping the scales at 224 pounds, but said he wants to be cautious about getting too heavy.
“I’ve just been working on strength stuff, not really football stuff. Just working out, getting in gear, getting muscles ready, body ready for college. Basic strength training stuff,” Harris said. “I’ve been making great progress, especially since we don’t have school. I’m taking summer school, but since I don’t have to be up there for seven hours, I can go up there and work out. I’ve put on 10 pounds. I’ve put on a lot of muscle. I’m making sure I’m getting bigger but not too big, mostly getting stronger.”
A versatile linebacker who can get after the passer from the edge, Harris has talked to the Texas coaches about his role and the staff has told him they’ll help mold his body once he gets to campus in January as an early enrollee.
“They say I’ll do a little everything, playing linebacker and rushing the passer. They said don’t add too much weight because you can always add weight but it’s hard to take it off,” Harris said.
Stanford still reaches out to Harris occasionally, but he said he’s not entertaining any offers from other programs. Instead, he’s more focused on trying to recruit other talent to join him in Austin.
“I’m talking to the wide receiver from Florida (Jaden Alexis). Of course, Terrence Cooks. And the tight end from Colorado (Gunnar Helm),” Harris said.
A four-star prospect, Harris ranks No. 215 on the Rivals250.
