I was digging around the net trying to get an update on this kid. As many of you remember, he was the gem of our 2011 class, but transcripts got in the way. As it turns out, he took an applied geometry class his senior year of highschool that didn't qualify as a core class, delaying his graduation. It was then advised to him that he should take some online classes in preparation for FUMA...which he did. Sadly enough, the online classes didn't count either, so everything he did at FUMA could not help him qualify through the NCAA Clearinghouse for D-1 ball. Fast forward to this fall. He enrolls at a Jr College in NY, sporting a top-5 program in his division. He played tough, should complete an associates degree in criminal justice by spring, and is determined to play somewhere reputable--very soon. Based on a recent recruiting trend of TB's, one from the outside has to assume his recruitment went cold. Tech doesn't typically take Juco transfers, and Harris was quoted on May of saying that he was getting mixed signals from VT's staff. He specifically cited FSU as getting the picture that he wants to play "immediately", and "is ready to go". It will be interesting to see what happens in the next 6 months. I believe his offer from VT is still on the table...or is it?
Drew Harris
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The Drew Harris ship has sailed, amigo.
As much as I would have agreed with you 14 hours ago, CZYHokie and Evan Watkins on 247's TERRORDOME have said the possibility is still there.
I guess that depends on the perspective, though. We may still be offering a scholarship, but how likely is he to enter into the program behind 7 (is that right?) scholarship RBs? He was our stud recruit a year ago, but now the program has sort of moved on.
Word is he'd be eligible to enroll this summer and the door is open if he gets his stuff in order. Not saying he'll be a Hokie for sure, but it's definitely still an option.
Additionally, I'm just trying to say that the possibility of Harris enrolling isn't just coming from some bum on the street. I'd say the guys at 247 are fairly credible. Trying to sell subscriptions, yes, but they seem to be right more often than they're wrong.
Although probably credible, I'd have to agree that there's too much competition at this point in the backfield for him to come in and play any major role here.
He will be coming in to competition from high school players mainly. Even though he went to a JUCO it is definitely faster than high school competition.
Exactly. Besides, the only back on the roster who is comparably gifted is Mackenzie, and he's only got one knee.
I mean I know there are a lot of backs on the roster but the idea that there is too much competition for Drew Harris to come in and compete is ludicrous. He's a big back that would immediately be more valuable than Coleman or Mangus. Trey, Shai, Williams, and Harris would be a monster stable of backs. But in the end were just arguing over nothing because I agree that I think that Drew Harris isnt going to happen.
Especially if FSU is willing to bring him in at this point. They don't have as crowded a backfield and which offensive line would you rather run behind right now? or offensively gives you a better shot at being highly drafted just from exposure.
true points, but I believe the phrasing used was that "FSU gets" that he wants to play immediately. This doesn't imply that they can accommodate that or are even still interested, and having just won it all their stable of recruits are going to get much bigger and more competitive as well.
Or a shot at a national title.
I will now punch myself in the face.
Whether the Drew Harris ship has sailed or not, thanks for providing this update! That whole situation was so cloudy, thanks for clearing it up a bit.
I'm just curious...does no one tell him beforehand that these classes don't qualify him? Does something happen during the middle of the year that changes?
I mean I've met some pretty lazy and terrible guidance counselors in my day. But for real, you would think after the first time he would triple check.
He chose to ignore advice from VT and take the easy way out. From those close to his situation in HS, he did not put forth much effort in HS and skated by. When the family were made aware of his deficiencies for admittance, they chose to continue seeking an easy path and ignored the advice. Consequently, he wasted at least two years taking bogus courses. It is unfortunate that his family fostered such an attitude of overindulgence, but it happens quite a bit with athletes (see Tarholes)
I hope he gets a shot. It is super sad because he genuinely wanted to be a Hokie. Dude was really a gifted back and I honestly feel he has better field vision than Coleman and Edmunds. If he had been here he would have been the starter and edmunds an LB with possible RB touches. just my opinion though.
I understand that he genuinely wanted to be a Hokie...its too bad he wasn't willing to work hard to get there. (if the taking the easy way out story is true.)
didn't know he was taking it easy...
Did he? The "want to" wasn't enough to make him get his academic work in order.
The last rumor I heard about Drew Harris was circulated in September by a poster on a TSL forum. Allegedly a VT position coach stated to a large gathering of VT boosters that Drew Harris would be playing for VT in fall 2014.
Note that the ACC requirement for (nonqualifer) JUCO transfers is that have earned an Associates Degree. Based on the interviews last May, Harris was/is on track to do that this spring. VT hasn't done much JUCO recruiting in the past 10 years, but we were ready to take Sgt. Rodriguez as a walk-on if he had bothered finishing his Associates Degree.
Bold prediction: we sign Harris. Edmunds is moved to linebacker in the spring, a position of great need.
By Spring I assume you mean Fall, since he's got a good deal of internal body bling in his leg at the moment.
I almost think they move him in the spring...give him a chance to acclimate to the play book, schemes, not waste any more time with him. But yes, of course, he doesn't see action till the fall.
Ah, I see what you mean. Sort of what Tony Gregory did last year sitting in on DB meetings and such. Personally, I'd be all for it. Take a very talented athlete from a loaded position and put him in a spot that definitely needs athletic depth.
I would be shocked if we signed Harris.
See this from 11 months ago.
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2013/january/15/drew-harris-trolls-us-...
French60wasp:
"Didn't qualify initially. He has been in prep school six months getting his grades up. Now, with all that time to cross the t's and dot the i's, there is a paperwork error at the last second? Time to grow up kid, have the paperwork in correct order, and get it to the clearinghouse as far in advance as possible."
More details have come to light since last January that describe his academic tribuations. His 6mo at prep school was flushed down the toliet by NCAA Clearinghouse rules about high school curriculum... All circles back to the Geometry classes he took not being accredited/accepted by the NCAA Clearinghouse. So he had to go JUCO route, which he's doing, with the expectation of getting an Associates Degree in May 2014.
In May 2013 there were some articles touching on his situation and they stated that "while Harris considers himself to still be a VT committ, his father isn't as certain" so as far as Drew has ever said, he's still interested in coming here, and the ACC allows JUCO transfers as long as they've graduated with an AA.
And then there's that messageboard post about a coach telling a bunch of boosters that Harris will be here in 2014.
Exactly. Not sure if it's been touched on here or it was another board, but apparently the coaches/VT told Harris what classes he needed and his dad disagreed and enrolled him in other class(es). Said class(es) were not accepted by the NCAA, hence young Mr. Harris's current predicament.
So is Trey to LB the new Logan to TE movement? Not that I'm for or against the thought, but I really don't want to go through three years of that again.
I was a fan of his recruitment, I would like to see him in Blacksburg especially if he went through some character building in the process and stayed in shape.
I have no idea whether he is coming to VT or not.
But, IMO, of all the RBs we have and of those coming in, I thought Harris (pre-injury) was the best of all of them in his HS film. Having said that, I have no idea 1) how much the injury affected him and 2) how good he would be at the more cerebral aspects of the game, i.e. pass protection.
My guess is that if he had been admitted (and the injury didn't significantly hamper him), Trey Edmunds would be at LB right now and Harris would be clear #1 guy and we'd have the opportunity to redshirt most, if not all, of the incoming guys.