2018 RB/LB Omari Harris Ready to Answer the Call for Antioch High School

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

High school football fans and diehard college football fans are well aware of Antioch High School. The California squad swept through the 2015 regular season going undefeated until they hit another offensive powerhouse in Foothill High School losing in the second round of the playoffs 55-54.

The run through the season for the Panthers was exactly that, a run attack that blew the opposition away. While posting an 11-1 record, Antioch produced 4,416 yards on the ground with 59 scores harkening back to a day and age before spread offenses leveled the playing field for teams not capable of taking a ground and pound approach. Last season, all eyes were on the No. 1 ranked player in the 2017 class – Najee Harris (Alabama). Harris was unstoppable picking up 2,744 yards on the ground off 243 carries with 36 touchdowns averaging a video game-ish 228.7 yards per contest.

The rushing attack was so potent then- seniors Ryan Payne added 434 yards rushing, Dawon Boyd 265 yards rushing, and Nick Perry 450 yards rushing. Somehow through all of the upperclassmen clawing for time on the field, Class of 2018 running back Omari Harris made his mark.

Harris’ time on offense was limited but when his number was called he answered with 203 yards rushing off just 22 carries with four scores on the ground. The 6’0”, 210 pound, athlete did not sit on the sidelines drinking water cheering on his Panthers’ teammates, he was lining up at outside linebacker ringing bells with 33 tackles, 16 solo, along with one pass defended and a forced fumble.

The seniors are gone but Najee Harris returns, and is expected to get the lion’s share of carries again in 2016. But Omari Harris now has an opportunity to be a starter on defense and the second option for Antioch on offense at running back.

The high expectations of a breakout season already has college coaches scrambling to be on Omari’s shortlist of top schools. Cal, Nebraska, Eastern Washington, and Utah have each offered with teams like Michigan wanting to see Omari tear it up in 2016 before more offers start to roll in for the soon to be junior.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with Harris before the Panthers began their fall camp to get an overview on Harris’ off-season workouts, camp schedule, and a recruiting news update.

Interview

Omari, I see you are switching your jersey from No. 28 to No. 10. Is there anything behind the jersey switch or do you just like No. 10 better?

“For me, it was more about going into my junior year the right way. There was a linebacker that was ahead of me who took me under his wing last year, Kobie Beltram. I looked up to him. Now I am taking on the role as a starting linebacker and the jersey switch was a show of respect to him. I have a feeling of accomplishment taking over his role.”

I like that. Very cool.

“Thank you.”

Between linebacker and running back, which position do you like best?

“I like both of them. At running back you get the same physical contact you get at linebacker. Playing running back, I use my linebacker knowledge against them because I know what they are looking for and what they will do.”

What are some of the things you feel you do well at this point in your career at linebacker?

“My coverage skills have gotten a lot better. My lateral speed and recovery speed are really good.”

What about at running back?

“This year I will have a better change in my one-cut and up the field moves.”

Have you set any personal goals for yourself for the 2016 season?

“At running back, I hope to have 500 yards rushing and more touchdowns than last year.”

Are you penciled in to take over as the Panthers’ No. 2 back?

“Going into the season there will be a battle for the No. 2 spot. I hope to get more carries this year but if not, I hope that is better for the team allowing me to rest up to be more productive at linebacker.”

If you do win the No. 2 spot, or just in general, how will the coaches use you on offense this year?

“My role should change a lot throughout the season. They have me in on more offensive sets, some at wing and running back. It really just depends on the offensive set we are running.”

What have you been working on this off-season in preparation for your junior year?

“This off-season I’ve been working on my lateral and side-to-side speed. I’ve been working on my vertical speed and lateral quickness to have that agility needed to perform at a high level during the season. All of that goes hand and hand at both positions. I’ve also been working on my strength in my lower legs and working on that breakaway speed or speed to track down a running backs as a linebacker.”

Did you attend any college camps this summer?

“Yes. I went to the Michigan satellite camp at Antioch and one of their camps in Utah, a San Jose State camp, and I went to a Utah camp. I also attended the Nike Regional Opening camp in Oakland.”

Which position did you attend each camp playing?

“At the Utah camp I went as a running back. The Michigan camp in California I went as a running back and as a linebacker. I did some one-on-ones at running back and then I switched to linebacker.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have four offers. My offers are from Cal, Nebraska, Eastern Washington, and Utah.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Right now Nevada is but I have not heard from them in a while because of the dead period.”

Did you take any unofficial visits this off-season?

“Yes. I have been to Cal and BYU.”

How did your visit to Cal go?

“That went pretty well. I visited during their spring game. I went with family, my younger brother, my mom, and my dad. We had a great time all around. It was fun seeing the players and talking to the coaches.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“I hope to visit Nebraska soon; that would be a great visit for me and my family. I’m planning on getting out there but I don’t know when yet. I have to balance everything with our team schedule and their season.”

How did everything turn out in the classroom for you during your sophomore year?

“I have a 3.0 last year.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“I like math and science.”

I know it is really early for you, but have you started thinking about what degree you want to pursue in college?

“Actually I have been thinking about this for a while. I want to go into bio engineering or chemistry for a job later in life.”

Are you guys getting close to fall camp or two-a-days?

“Right now we are meeting four days a week. We are not in shells or pads yet. I think we get helmets soon. Maybe by Monday we will be in full-pads.”

Have you maxed out on any of the football lifts this off-season?

“Yes. I benched 325, squatted 535, power-cleaned 315, and deadlifted 520.”

How does the team look heading into fall camp?

“This year we are planning on going for a state title. We are going into the season strong, working hard, and getting all of the pieces of the puzzle together.”

There is one game on your schedule I am really excited to see you guys play, but I wanted to find out from you if there were any games coming up you are looking forward to in 2016?

“I’m excited for De La Salle (Concord – MaxPreps 2015 National High School Champions). That will be a big game for everyone. That is a nationally televised game (Sept. 23). We have to go in there with our heads on right to beat them.”

Omari, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall camp.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: thepress.net; No. 28 Omari Harris breaks free.

Photo credits: Nano Hydrate; Omari Harris works at a Michigan camp with Jim Harbaugh watching.