In-depth with AJ Harris: Where the Irish stand with the nation’s No. 1 CB
On Sept. 21, Phenix City (Ala.) Glenwood class of 2023 cornerback AJ Harris announced a top seven schools list of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
With scholarship offers from nearly 40 schools, cutting down his list was a quality-of-life decision.
“Schools were continuing to reach out that weren’t in my top 13, so I felt the need to make a top seven to make it clear these were the final schools I’m talking to,” said Harris, who ranks as the nation’s No. 11 player and No. 1 cornerback per Rivals.
On first glance, a player based in Alabama with southern powers on his short list may look like a long shot for the Fighting Irish to land, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“What they can do for me in every aspect of life,” Harris said about why the Irish made his top group. “From the football to the academics, they’ll make sure I’m taken care of on and off the field.”
FAMILY FACTOR
Harris was born in California but moved to Germany when he was just five months old. His father, Daniel, served in the United States Army and was based in Germany until they moved to Columbus, Ga. when AJ was nine years old. Earlier this year, they moved across the Alabama-Georgia border to Phenix City, Ala. to be closer to AJ’s high school.
AJ can still speak a little German, too.
“I was surprised the other day with how much he remembered it when his mom was talking to him,” Daniel Harris said.
The close to home factor may not be as big for Harris as it is for other prospects in the South, considering he wasn’t born and bred in SEC Country. He still has a lot of family in Indiana, where his father grew up a big fan of the Fighting Irish.
“Being from Indiana, it would naturally be Indiana Hoosiers, Indiana Pacers and Indianapolis Colts, but Gary, Ind. is so close to Chicago that I liked the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls and Notre Dame football,” the elder Harris said. “I was fed Notre Dame as a kid.”
Notre Dame cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens extended Harris a scholarship offer back on Feb. 26, which was a day Daniel Harris will never forget.
“It was special,” Harris’ father added. “Everyone in the house celebrated it because they know how much of a fan I am. I told AJ that it’s his show but that we will definitely give him a look.”
The Harris family got a firsthand look at Notre Dame in June, and Daniel was like a kid in a candy shop being at his favorite program’s campus. It was a guarantee that Daniel would enjoy the trip, but it was his son who was blown away the most.
“When we went there, it was such a special visit for him,” the elder Harris explained. “He was so surprised and shocked by the quality of the campus, how proactive and welcoming the coaches were and the indoor facility. He was pleasantly surprised with how much it blew him away.
“The briefing that they gave on the four-for-40 – that opened his eyes more than anything. At that point, we had already heard three or four different schools’ pitch [during visits], but when he learned about the reach that Notre Dame has, he was blown away. The education is so important.”
STRONG CONNECTION WITH IRISH COACHES
The Notre Dame staff has not been shy in their pursuit of Harris. He talks with a member of the staff about two or three times per week and has daily text message communication with them too.
“I get a real family-like feel from Coach [Marcus] Freeman, Coach [Mike] Mickens and Coach [Brian] Kelly,” said Harris. “I talk to everyone from the coaching staff. They really make me feel like a priority, and I can make an impact.”
AJ and his parents had a sit-down meeting with the Irish head coach during their June visit.
“Coach Kelly has been active with me,” Harris added. “He’s different than me and my dad expected. He’s very outgoing and a cool person to talk to. I wouldn’t mind playing for him at all.”
Harris holds a high view of Mickens as well.
“I love him as far as what he’s done with his defensive backs at Cincinnati to now at Notre Dame, which is big for me,” he said.
Notre Dame defensive director of recruiting Chad Bowden plays a big role in the Irish’s pursuit of Harris in keeping up daily contact.
“Chad is special,” Daniel Harris added. “He spearheads a lot of the connection. He has been very instrumental.”
The Harris family is looking to take a trip to Notre Dame in November. They’ve discussed making it out for the Georgia Tech game Nov. 20 and have nearly finalized their travel itinerary.
“The atmosphere,” Harris said when asked what he looks to see on game day visits. “That’s what I’m looking for now. I know about the relationships – who is genuine and who is not. So I want to see the atmospheres of the schools.”
“Putting me being a fan aside, when I watch them, they’re not a straight press-man team, but I’ve noticed over the years that they can do it, they’ll adjust to allow that, and AJ likes to do press-man,” Daniel Harris noted about the Irish defense. "I really like the scheme that they play and think he’d fit in well.”
Harris doesn’t plan on taking his recruitment the distance. He wants to make a decision on a school in December or January, so making sure he gets back on campus before then will be key for the Notre Dame staff. The Irish are already a favorite within his group of favorites.
“They’re a top three school for me,” stated Harris.
----
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, Blue & Gold Illustrated.
• Watch our videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
• Sign up for Blue & Gold's news alerts and daily newsletter.
• Subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts.
• Follow us on Twitter: @BGINews, @Rivals_Singer, @PatrickEngel_, @tbhorka, @GregLadky, and @ToddBurlage.
• Like us on Facebook.