People are allowed to change their minds. And when you are dealing with deciding where you want to spend the next four or five years of your life, wouldn’t you rather make the right decision now opposed to living in misery for a year or two before ultimately listening to your gut and moving on?
Pepperell offensive lineman Kyle Harris joined Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit recently to discuss his de-commitment from the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. About the Yellow Jackets, Harris noted that, “it was an amazing place, but when it came down to it, I was rushed.” Harris said that Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson “pressured” him by asking for a commitment on the spot of a visit. Harris committed because he “didn’t want to be stuck without a school close to home.” Johnson didn’t do anything unusual though said Harris as “it’s a common thing” for coaches to ask for the pledge on the spot, according to the lineman.
The pressure of Johnson and the fear of being left without an offer weren’t the only reasons for Harris de-pledging from the Yellow Jacket program. Said Harris, “Georgia Tech is a big academic school, but it would be hard to focus on everything (academics, football) at once.” Harris was confident he could do it, but he said he wants to really commit to becoming a great player at the next level.
Just as quickly as Harris was back on the market though, he may be ready to commit again. The South Carolina Gamecocks have been appealing to Harris, and Harris said he is starting to dig the Gamecocks. “I want to play in the SEC; it’s a bigger challenge.” He noted about South Carolina that the campus was beautiful and he got along well with the coaches. “The coaches are cool. They are your friends and your coaches.”
Harris would join a lengthy list of players from the Peach State that are headed to South Carolina. Martay Mattox leads seven pledges from Georgia that will head to Columbia next season and Harris believes he knows why. “Some of the best players (in the country) are in Georgia, so they (the Gamecocks) go after the best.” Asked if the high number of fellow Georgians would influence him, he responded: no. “I would go there for me and try and get my spot. I’m going to try and do what’s best for me.”
He called South Carolina his leader and confirmed that the Gamecocks would get one of his five official visits. Tennessee might get a visit as well as he has some history with the Vols. “I like them growing up, but not right now.” Auburn may also receive a visit as the Tigers coaching staff has “invited me to every game.”
If Harris does decide to head to an SEC destination, he will gladly welcome a switch to center. “I’ll get some work it at center because it’s the best chance at early playing time.” Now that he knows he won’t be left out in the cold, Harris is starting to enjoy the recruiting process, and as long as no one rushes him, he could make an impact as early as next season for an SEC program.
Loading ...
