photo courtesy of Frank Harris
I am a UTSA graduate and was thrilled when I saw his announcement on Twitter. My Twitter feed blew up (and, I was OK with that) because I follow Frank and he was doing a lot of Retweeting. I would’ve done the same thing on Twitter (it’s all about self-promotion and when it is something good, you definitely want everybody to know about it).
If he ends up being the starting quarterback as a freshman, I could easily see UTSA football having a huge increase in attendance. I would even try to find my way into the press-box to or watch from the stands as a fan to see him play.
I am not going to critique his choice because he is an adult who made an informed decision (hopefully, with the help from his family, friends and Jared Johnston, the Head Coach at Clemens). I will, however, tell you I am glad he made this commitment now rather than before the football season begins. He won’t be distracted, he will be totally focused on helping his team win, and he won’t have to answer questions from the media about it.
My only concern is what happens if he has an unbelievable senior season where his stats are beyond greatness and more colleges take notice (maybe even some of the top programs in the country) and want Frank as their quarterback? Will he bail on UTSA?
How good was Frank Harris as a junior? He had 2,103 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions and 250 carries for 2,712 yards with 38 touchdowns. I will add them (it is my duty as a statistician) — 4,815 total yards with 55 total touchdowns. Those numbers earned him the Express News 6A and District 27-6A offensive player of the year and he was also my player of the year (I covered him in Weeks 5, 6, and 12).
Last year, in a Playoff game in Week 12, against the Johnson Jaguars, Frank Harris had 23 carries for 340 yards with 6 touchdowns. He had touchdowns runs of 59, 65, and 77 yards. That touchdown for 77 yards came with under 2 minutes remaining in the game and it gave Clemens a lead of 54 to 51 (that ended up being the final score). I have been around High School football since 1997 and his performance on that night is one of the best individual performances I have ever seen.
When I was in High School, I never excelled at something where I had colleges lining up to recruit me. So, I am just curious and would love for anybody in a similar position to Frank to help me answer a question. What does one base his/her decision on?
Is it the Head Coach? What happens if you do follow a coach and for some reason the school fires that coach? Do you stay true to your word, follow the coach to another school (if that happens), or choose a new school? Kellen Mond, the junior quarterback from San Antonio Reagan verbally committed to Baylor but a few weeks ago, the head coach was fired. Kellen decided to decommit and reopen his collegiate choices. Kellen will be playing his senior year at IMG Academy in Florida and is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation (even though his stats were less than Frank’s as a junior). As a sophomore, Mond’s numbers were outstanding — 1,745 passing yards and 1,142 rushing yards with 35 total touchdowns. Frank, as a sophomore, had 836 passing yards and 568 rushing yards with 20 total touchdowns.
I won’t say one is better than the other because I know if I do, Kellen and Frank will definitely let me know on Twitter that I am wrong!!! I will say that Frank has much tougher competition since his district (25-6A) has Steele, Judson, and Smithson Valley in it. Judson and Steele were the last 2 teams playing in the 2015 Playoffs — each lost in the state semi-finals. Clemens lost to Steele and Smithson Valley lost to Judson in the state quarterfinals. That is why District 25-6A is the toughest District in state of Texas
Is it how good is the team is? Is it how good the stadium amenities are? Is it how prestigious the school is? Is it how good the academics are? It is whether a family member attended that school? Is it how good looking are the students? Is it how much it will cost? Is it whether or not you will be a starter? Is it the players you will be playing with? Is it your dream to play for that school? Is it because your favorite player attended that school?
National Signing Day will be February 1st of next year and if he stays true to his word (which I believe he will do), Frank Harris will have competition at the quarterback position (assuming another quarterback from San Antonio signs with UTSA — he verbally committed a few weeks ago). That player is Bryce Rivers, a Junior from San Antonio Stevens. Frank will have the advantage because he can burn with his arm or legs. Bryce can only do it thru the air as last year he had 3,372 passing yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Now, that you have read my words, please enjoy my Frank Harris slideshow. These are from the 3 games I covered last year. If you want to use any of them, all I ask is for you is to let me know and give me credit.