Name: Marcell Harris
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215
Position: Safety
Why did he redshirt?
Harris had knee surgery before he got to Florida. He sustained the injury in high school and wanted to have the surgery done before he got to campus as he planned to enroll early.
Unfortunately, Harris wasn’t able to enroll early and the surgery didn’t fix his knee. His knee was tight and he didn’t have the same mobility or confidence in the knee that he did in high school.
Harris went under the knife again last year and should be ready to go for spring camp. He has a full year under his belt, should know the playbook and be acclimated to the speed of the game.
Depth at the Position?
Florida isn’t tremendously deep at safety and the transfer of veteran starter Cody Riggs doesn’t help.
Currently the Gators have Marcus Maye, Keanu Neal, Jabari Gorman and Harris as players who are currently listed as safeties. Some people think freshman Quincy Wilson or Nick Washington could be moved to safety (both are viable options) but currently there are only four options.
That kind of depth along with the massive lack of playing experience at the position leaves the door wide open for Harris to get on the field.
Player Evaluation
Harris is a huge safety who is probably a little heaver than his listed 215 pounds. His size has always caused speculation that he could eventually move to linebacker but if Harris can come back from the surgeries and play fast and smooth like he did in high school there is no need for a position change.
He’s a safety that can fly around the field, is always around the ball and he can hit. He’s a bigger version of Major Wright and a player who can make an impact for the Gators when healthy.
2014 prognosis
Playing time is there for the taking. Harris appears to be back from his surgeries and that gives him an opportunity to take one of the two starting jobs at safety this spring.
Reports on the redshirts is a great idea! We lose track if those guys and their progress that first year.
Thank you.