Media Day Interviews: Drake Harris Comment Count

Ace

Previously: Jim HarbaughKyle KalisBrian Cole, Chase "Block" Winovich



Drake Harris is ready to put on the pads and play. [Fuller]

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Drake Harris hasn't seen game action for the better part of two years because of hamstring injuries, but the talented Grand Rapids native says he's healthy and ready to contribute this fall. This was part of a scrum, so only a few of these were MGoQuestions, and there's a little bit of overlap with injury questions.

[walked in partway through question] …do you know you’re ready?

Oh yeah. We ran 40s, that’s sprinting. We had one-on-ones, seven-on-sevens basically every day during the spring and summer, so I was basically sprinting and running every day, working.

So you’re ready to go, you think?

Oh yeah. I’m good. … I feel great. This is the best I’ve felt in I don’t know how many years. Running 40s and everything, I feel good.

So you’re planning on being a starter?

(Laughs.) I mean, that’s the goal for me, to start. I just have to take it day by day and take it from there.

Are you playing anything outside of wide receiver? Punt returns? Kick returns?

They had me playing a little bit of corner in the spring, but my primary position is wide receiver.

What’s it been like working with Jedd Fisch coming in with all the experience he has at the professional level?

It’s been great. Like you said, he’s worked at the professional level, so he’s worked with great wide receivers like Brandon Marshall. I’m learning different drills from him, different techniques, it’s helped me out a lot being a wide receiver and growing.

What’s been the biggest difference in terms of what you guys are doing in practice versus previous years?

We have four-hour practices, basically, so they’re long practices. It’s not really that much different. It’s more up-tempo, very up-tempo, all the practices. They split teams so you get a lot more reps, like for younger players, so it’s good for all of us.

It’s pretty wide open with the receivers this year. Do you think that’s helped with the competition, getting more reps in?

Yeah, for sure. Being able to get more reps and learning the plays and throwing with all the different quarterbacks, it’s good. It’s good for all of us.

I know you’re sick of getting asked about it, but how’s the hamstring feeling?

It’s good. This is the best I’ve felt in I don’t know how long. I haven’t had any problems with it for the last six months, I’d say. I’ve put on some weight and I think that’s helped a lot with it.

What are you up to?

182.

You mentioned playing corner a little bit in the spring. It seems to be a pretty common thing with this team. What was that experience like?

It was a learning experience. I’ve never really played corner. I played it a little bit in high school but I never thought I was going to play it in college, but my primary position is still receiver. I think they were just trying me out at corner a little bit because I have length and me playing basketball, those skills translate to playing corner. It was a learning experience for sure.

Comments

RockinLoud

August 7th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^

Man we need this kid to stay healthy. He could potentially be the deep threat we've been missing for I don't know how many years now.

Of course, how many other players have I and others said that about? But hey we're due for some players actually playing up to their potential right?

True Blue Grit

August 7th, 2015 at 2:40 PM ^

100% healthy now.  I'm also glad to hear he's put on some weight, to 182.  That's starting to get more respectable for a 6-4 guy.  He can really be a game changer with his skills.  I'm just wondering how long it will take him to work back into the groove after being out for so long. 

jmcmichman

August 7th, 2015 at 2:52 PM ^

I wonder if part of practicing at multiple positions is to learn a primary position better.  If I understand how a CB is coached and have tried to play it myself, maybe this makes me a better WR.  Could explain some of the position flipping...

The Maizer

August 7th, 2015 at 2:53 PM ^

I'm thinking Jedd Fisch turns this group of WRs that fans are not overly excited about into an impressive unit. The magnitude of that will only be increased with Harris seeing the field on Saturdays.

Jayvandy23

August 7th, 2015 at 3:03 PM ^

Coming from Grand Rapids, It is always nice to see the local guys do well.  With all of the hype coming in, I hope he can finally put it together, stay healthy, and have a great Michigan career.    

Wolverine fan …

August 7th, 2015 at 3:16 PM ^

in week 1 @ UT. With the Utes' best CB dismissed from the team, and with little in the way of depth behind him, their secondary could be a potential weakness. Especially early in the game and even more so if we have early success running the ball. If Drake can stay healthy and break free from a jam (and he should be pretty good at this after facing press coverage in practice every day) he could blow past an overmatched/inexperienced corner for a game changing play to help notch win #1 for JH.

A long hypothetical, I know... but it's one of the ways I can see Michigan beating the Utes in a close, defensive game.

Go Blue!

(This is my first post. Be gentle, Mgoblog folks)

GBBlue

August 7th, 2015 at 3:17 PM ^

he can even play 25% - 40% of the snaps, that would be great. After the last couple of years, I really hadn't figured he'd be a part of the receiving corps at all.

KingRJ

August 7th, 2015 at 3:19 PM ^

This kid is so talented and has had such bad luck with his hammies.  Glad to see that he is 100% and ready to go.  We need at least one of receivers to break out big this year.  Drake could be the one.  

Danwillhor

August 7th, 2015 at 3:38 PM ^

there was word of a deep look into which players would be given a medical. I heard the staff had guys they knew flat out would not and could not play again (Fox). They had a guy they thought shouldn't play again (Pipkins). I also heard some guys that were constantly injured had the medical issue brought up to them and they had a certain day which they had to essentially "be healthy" by or get a medical/transfer. It could be rumor but I heard Harris had to run a 40 and do other things to show his hamstring was no longer an issue. He did. The thing I've been wondering about is whether he'd have "been healthy" if not confronted by the new staff. I really do. I know his issue is a easily tweaked injury/reinjury but would Harris have gone from "unavailable" to "I'm good!" in the short time he did if not potentially called out? Further, would the old staff had done the same if still here? I mean no disrespect to the kid but I've seen kids in HS go from perpetually "just not ready to go, coach" to "I'm good" in an hour after his coach finally telling him to play or get off the team. I'm not talking about major issues like concussions, etc. I'm talking about kids claiming these touchy injuries suddenly being healthy after getting called out. I just wonder because I've seen it many times and it seems like Harris went from no go to full go in a couple weeks. Many wondered if he'd ever play or be medical'd and a week later he's "full go". Either way I hope he is the kid I watched torch triple coverage in a HS State title game.

Danwillhor

August 7th, 2015 at 3:53 PM ^

if that seems negative, imagine if there is any truth to that. You'd be surprised at what talents, past accomplishments and entitlements people will let hold them back from doing something like USE that talent! Surprised at who needs a push to be great, etc. Imagine if a player of his talent were allowed to not be what they could be out of indifference, complacency, etc. Again, I've seen it so I wonder exactly when he became healthy. It's no knock on him.

ShadowStorm33

August 7th, 2015 at 5:01 PM ^

Damn, that is skinny. I looked back, and Manningham played at that weight, but at 6'0", and I remember him as rail thin. But Roundtree played at a similar height/weight ratio his RS Fr. year, and he really came on by the end, so hopefully Harris can make a similar impact. We really could use his combination of speed and size as a deep threat...

cbrad

August 10th, 2015 at 11:23 AM ^

Drake looks closer to 6'2" than 6'4" and both Manningham and Roundtree measured @ 5'11" at the combine. These guys often overstate their vitals. Similarly, Drob came in at 5'10 1/2" (not 6'1") at the combine. Heights are like 40 times.