Harris gaining interest

As a junior at Clinton (Miss.) High School, linebacker Herbert Harris made his share of defensive stops and totaled 105 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and four sacks. Heading into his final prep campaign, the 6-foot and 234-pound Harris plans to again be the leader of the Arrows' defensive attack.

"I am not sure which linebacker position I will be at just yet," said Harris. "Last year I played middle linebacker because we had a guy injured. The year before I was at outside linebacker and I will probably be there again this year."

While his Clinton teammates are currently gearing up for spring ball, Harris may have to wait a little longer to join them. But that's a good thing, noted Harris.

"I am still in track so I will go to football once track is over with," said Harris. "I throw the shotput and discus in track and I won the state title last year in the discus throw. But I am still working out with football and then I go to track. They are just doing some 7-on-7 things right now and it's not actually practice yet."

On the recruiting scene, Harris is hearing from numerous Division I schools and several said they were stopping by to see him in spring practice. And last Friday, Harris picked up his first offer when Louisiana Tech came calling.

"I went to Mississippi State's spring game but that was the only one," said Harris. "I was going to Ole Miss' junior day but I couldn't because of track. I am getting interest from a lot of schools like Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Auburn, Tennessee, Southern Miss, Alabama, UCLA, and Harvard.

"And Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech and several others are stopping by this spring."

With the Bulldogs, Harris said he hears from their staff regularly and plans to attend their summer camp, too.

"I've had the chance to talk to their linebackers' coach (Geoff Collins) and he is a good guy and a pretty intense coach," said Harris. "He said he was coming to see our spring game and see how I do. So we just have to see how that goes."

With his recruiting interest gaining momentum, Harris said he is open to all and is anxious to hear and learn more about these schools.

"I like all the schools showing me interest and I am not shying away from any of them," said Harris. "But I would say of all those schools, Mississippi State, Southern Miss and Tennessee are showing the most interest."