BearcatReport.com - Harrison expands on his commitment

July 24, 2012

Joshua Miller
BearcatReport.com Staff Writer

The University Cincinnati football program picked up its 13th class of 2013 commitment on Saturday, as quarterback/athlete Javon Harrison (Huber Height Wayne, OH.) switched his commitment from Toledo to UC.

Harrison, who is the heir-apparent to Ohio State starting quarterback Braxton Miller at Wayne High School, made the decision after spending this past weekend at UC for the Bearcat's Friday Night Lights Camp.

"I was talking with my coaches and family a lot and when I took my visit to UC this weekend it really put me over the top with my decision," Javon Harrison said. "[After] talking with the coaches down at UC and talking with the academic counselors, I realized that I felt like I was home."

In the end, proximity to home and the chance to have his family close enough to see him play every weekend were always going to be the most significant factors in Harrison's recruitment.

"Location was most definitely the biggest factor for me; I feel like playing for Cincinnati is so close to home that it's like playing for my hometown," He said. "I have a lot of family down in Cincinnati and my brother [Jared Harrison] was actually a freshman for UC's track team last year."

Harrison also credited his strong relationship with UC special teams coordinator and safeties coach, Mark Elder, and the close knit nature of the UC coaching staff as a whole as significant factors in his decision to switch his commitment to Cincinnati.

"Coach Elder has been recruiting me since my sophomore year and I have a really strong relationship with him, so he was definitely a factor; he's a great guy and I really love all the staff at UC. They feel like a real family down there," he said.

There has been much speculation throughout Harrison's recruitment, as to if he would stay at quarterback or be immediately transitioned into another role if he committed to UC.

Harrison is a true dual threat quarterback. He possesses the arm strength, leadership, intelligence and speed - 4.5 in the forty - to play quarterback at the division one level, but his accuracy and release both leave quite a bit to be desired.

With Alton Meeks and Kyle Kempt- both of which are rated higher than Harrison - already committed as quarterbacks, it wouldn't make sense to add Harrison - who has already had a major surgery on his throwing arm - as a third QB.

Harrison cleared up any further speculation, explaining that Cincinnati and Coach Elder had envisioned him at the safety position from the onset of his recruitment three years ago.

"Cincinnati has always been recruiting me as an athlete; Coach Elder wanted me there and he coaches the safeties, so he used one of his safety scholarships on me," he said. "I've been playing a little bit at safety in a few seven-on-seven tournaments this summer and it's not too bad."

Safety is a seemingly perfect fit for Javon Harrison.

At 6 foot 2 and 190 pounds he fits the part physically and should have no trouble adapting to the defensive side of the ball, as he will have a solid understanding of coverage schemes and route recognition from his experiences as a QB in the always competitive and well coached Greater Western Ohio Conference.

Harrison's hard work in the classroom - 3.8 GPA - will also assist in his transition to the defensive backfield, as he intends to become an early enrollee next winter.

"I've already gotten acceptance to graduate early from high school, so I'll be enrolling at UC in January," he said.

Considering the extra five months of preparation he'll have to make the switch and his pre-demonstrated leadership abilities and work ethic, Harrison is well on his way to being an outstanding signing for UC and a future leader in the Bearcat defensive backfield.

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