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Decision to play football pays off for UCF commit Justin Harris

Justin Harris says playing football was the best decision he ever made.

Growing up outside Baton Rouge in Gonzales, La., the new UCF football commit always thought basketball would be his ticket to an education. East Ascension coach Darnell Lee saw greater potential in the 6-foot-6, 250-pounder, envisioning a potential force on the defensive line. Harris took his advice and joined the football team last year as a junior.

"Coach Lee was always telling me to come out and play football," Harris said. "I always had a good relationship with him so I was like yeah, I'll come out and play. I started learning the technique and getting stronger. My first game was kind of rough, but I started getting better after that. Really, it changed my whole life."

It didn't take long for colleges to start taking notice.

"Louisiana Lafayette was the first school to really get in touch with me," Harris said. "One of their coaches came to a game to see our quarterback, Kyran Irvin, and he saw me play too. He basically offered me right on the spot. I was kind of surprised. My uncle was always telling me to play football. He said it would change my life. He was right."

The interest picked up as Kansas, UTSA, Louisiana Tech, South Alabama and Memphis were among the schools to also issue offers. UCF followed suit after seeing him the spring.

"Coach (Ryan) Held got my number and started talking to me," Harris said. "He told me they were interested. We got real cool."

The relationship deepened over the last couple months. He also spoke often with defensive coordinator Erik Chinander and Mike Dawson, who would be his future defensive line coach.

"They told me they really liked my speed," Harris said. "They watched my basketball highlights so they saw my athleticism there. I'm kind of behind on the weights, but they told me they can help me with that. They think I'd be a real good fit in their 3-4."

About a month ago Harris narrowed his list to a top five of UCF, Louisiana Lafayette, Memphis, Louisiana Tech and Kansas. His decision mostly centered around the Knights and Ragin' Cajuns, but UCF kept coming to the forefront even though he's yet to visit. He called the staff on Thursday night to pledge his commitment.

"The biggest thing for me was the coaches," Harris said. "They just showed me so much love. I loved everything about it. It's a new staff so I know they're going to be there. They're going to do big things. Being in Orlando and in a different atmosphere I think will be good for me. I just felt like now was the right time. I just liked UCF a lot. I talked to my coach, Coach Lee, and he thought UCF was a good fit. So did my uncle."

He says he placed the first call to Held.

"They were all so excited," Harris said. "Coach Held, I talked to him the most. He was just telling me to do what's best for me. He never pressured me at all. He just wanted me to be happy. He liked me as a person, not just a player. I talked to Coach (Scott) Frost and he was excited too."

Harris is UCF's 16th overall pledge and the second defensive lineman to commit in the past two days. Mason Cholewa of Pennsylvania committed on Wednesday, a day after his visit.

"I've already heard from a lot of the commits like Marvin Washington, Kalia Davis, Mason Cholewa and Antwan Owens," Harris said. "We're all in a group chat."

He's hoping to visit soon, possibly for an official visit during the season. He's interested to learn more about UCF's business management program while he's on campus.

"Coach Held told me UCF has a great program for business," Harris said.

The ultimate goal for Harris, who grew up as a Pittsburgh Steelers and linebacker James Harrison fan, would be to play in the NFL.

"To start off, I just want to win at UCF," he said. "Do whatever I can to help the team win games. And then after that hopefully play in the NFL."


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