Chaminade-Madonna offensive lineman Elvin Harris took his first official go to to UCF this previous weekend and afterward put Gus Malzahn’s program on the highest of his school listing.
“UCF is the team to beat right now,” mentioned Harris, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound beginning lineman who helped the Lions seize the Florida 3A state title final season.
Harris has seen his recruitment choose up this spring, touchdown all 9 of his scholarship gives because the finish of February. The Knights jumped within the race for Harris on May 11.
“It’s been really amazing to realize that someone is offering you a scholarship,” Harris mentioned. “You’re going to be debt-free. All you have to do is continue to do your work and football is going to lead you to better education.”
Less than per week after receiving a proposal from UCF, Harris locked in his official go to to the Orlando faculty to get a greater really feel for the campus and the encircling space.
“What stands out to UCF about me is the city,” Harris mentioned. “Coming to Orlando, I learned a lot about it. There’s no NFL team here so UCF is the NFL team basically. There’s a lot of support around it.”
Harris additionally met Malzahn for the primary time.
“I actually didn’t know he was that tall,” Harris joked concerning the former Auburn coach. “I all the time thought that he was brief seeing him on TV by [former Auburn quarterback] Cam Newton, you’d assume he’s brief however he’s tall.
“It was just fun to be around him,” Harris added. “He’s a good person. I went to his house to eat breakfast. He welcomed everyone with open arms. It was just lovely there.”
During the go to, Harris was hosted by redshirt senior reserve offensive lineman Chidoziri Maghiro.
“It was fun to see college players who play the same position as me,” Harris mentioned. “He was teaching me stuff that I can do to help me grow as a person and player. I was watching how he carries himself in the community.”
Harris additionally hung out with UCF offensive line coach Herb Hand, who shared extra than simply soccer information.
“He’s a great guy and a great coach,” Harris mentioned. “I discovered a few of his background and a number of the gamers that he’s coached.
“One of the fun facts that I learned is coach Hand knows how to cook,” Harris added. “He was telling me how he can throw down a brisket. I’m going to have to try that out.”
While some recruits are instructed they’ll match right into a sure function as soon as in school, Harris mentioned he’s open to offensive deal with or guard on the subsequent degree.
“I’m a versatile guy so wherever I can fit on the field, that’s where I want to play,” he mentioned.
Harris likes that Hand, who served because the offensive line coach at Texas from 2018-20, has labored within the Big 12 Conference. That’s the place UCF is headed in 2023.
“That’s a huge impact going to the Big 12,” Harris mentioned. “Coach Hand, he’s talked about it before, he knows how to win in the Big 12 because he was at Texas. He knows the league and what it takes to win.”
Email Jason Beede at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com