Kevin Harris: “A Self-Motivated Freight Train”

By Barry Every
SouthernPigskin.com

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Harris was named Region 2-AAAAAA Offensive Player of the Year as well as being recognized First Team All-Greater Savannah at running back.

From 2014 to 2016 Hinesville (Ga.) Bradwell Institute went a paltry (3-26-1), including two winless seasons. So when new Head Coach Ross Couch started the 2017 season (6-0) heads began to turn. Unfortunately Region 2-AAAAAA proved to be a literal buzz saw with the likes of Brunswick (Ga.) and Brunswick (Ga.) Glynn Academy, the Tigers came up short of their goal of making the playoffs.

Still, doubling the win total from the previous three seasons was quite an accomplishment. One of the impact players leaving his mark on the gridiron for the Tigers was 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior running back Kevin Harris. He finished the season with 1,691 yards and 16 touchdowns on 285 carries.

His arduous effort did not go unnoticed by the coaches and sports writers of Georgia. Harris was named Region 2-AAAAAA Offensive Player of the Year as well as being recognized First Team All-Greater Savannah at running back. News of his on-the-field prowess also reached Atlanta as he was selected Honorable Mention GHSA-AAAAAA All-State by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

His junior performance shouldn’t have come as a big surprise. Harris ran for over 400 yards as a freshman and managed 451 yards in five games as a sophomore. And though the Tigers have not been a prolific passing team Harris has caught 11 passes in his career.

“Kevin has that It-Factor, he’s just a hard-nosed football player that simply lives and breathes football,” Couch said. During the season he only drank water and didn’t have his first carbonated drink until after the final game; he did this all on his own. Even in the off season he limits himself to one carbonated drink a week and on top that he doesn’t eat fried food or fast food, that’s dedication.”

Harris not only treats his body like a temple, but is a standout in the weight room boasting a 310-pound bench, 480-pound squat and 300 in the power clean. He’s no slouch in the classroom either sporting a 3.7 GPA.

“He’s committed to class as much as football, Harris is in the top quarter of his class,” Couch said. “He’s just a great kid that does everything the right way. His mom has instilled discipline, self-respect and more importantly self-motivation. When he is away from football he is exactly what you want in a student and a person.”

At his time his lone scholarship offer is from Tulane, but there are several schools aware of his abilities. Schools showing serious interest at this time are Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State. Harris admits that Chanticleer assistant coach Nick Jones and Bearcat assistant Joker Phillips have already made some headway.

This past spring Wake Forest was the only college to get a camp visit from this behemoth every down back. He was able to make one unofficial visit for a game this past football season as he made the trip to “the Flats” checking out the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets versus the Demon Deacons.

But the one school that he would like to hear from most lies in Gainesville.

“I’ve liked the Florida Gators my whole life, they are my favorite team,” Harris said.

Right now he feels it’s his vision and ability to read holes that sets him apart from his positional peers. But, he does admit he wants to improve his breakaway speed. That is something he and defensive coordinator Ken Eldridge have been working on almost daily since the season ended.

Just last month Harris was able to show his homerun speed in the GACA All-Star Classic held at Freedom Field in Warner Robins. He finished the contest with 90 yards rushing and one touchdown on just eight carries in leading the South to a convincing 41-10 victory.

“He’s already a very good blocker, excels on power ISO plays and he can really catch the ball out of the backfield,” Couch said. “He is a downhill power back that wasn’t tackled a single time one-on-one this past. What he may lack in speed, which isn’t much, he makes up for with his running style.”

So what do the Tigers have to do in order to continue winning ways and make the playoffs?

“It’s going to take discipline in the weight room, we all have weights in class together during school and that is a great time to bond as a unit,” Harris said. “We have to continue to work together and simply believe in ourselves. Coach Couch has brought discipline and demands perfection, I like the way he is holding us accountable.”

Next season Harris will get to show off his skillset early on. Coach Couch has stiffened up the non-region schedule adding the likes of Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County, Valdosta (Ga.) and Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County. The addition of these heavyweight foes will surely prepare the Tigers for Region 2-AAAAAA.

His teammates affectionately call him “Train” for his ability to pound the rock while running over the opposition.  College coaches will have plenty of opportunity to see Harris dominate as a ball carrier during the Spring Jamboree on May, 12 and early this fall.