Bears Find Their Fullback in Harris

A prototype-sized fullback at 6-2/230, Harris was a virtual stat machine in '08, rushing for 2189 yards and 30 tds on just 298 carries on the year on offense and an amazing 186 tackles, 4 sacks and 1 interception on defense at linebacker for the Cougars.

"I was really excited and pumped when I visited Cal," said Harris.  "It seemed like a great environment for me to be able to grow and I can really see myself being there.  That's not the case in a lot of schools."

The Cougars, who play in the Division 5 Southern Section in the CIF were section runner-ups, losing 13-6 to Rio Hondo in the championship game. 

"It's great that he'll be playing fullback at Cal," said Jon Harris, Sr., Riverside Christian's running backs coach.  "If you'd talk to his head coach, he'd tell you right from day one that fullback's Jon's God-given position.  He was made for the position.  We're excited."

A stellar student, Harris will bring his 3.8 grade point average to Cal this fall, so no pulling of strings was necessary for Harris' admission as a preferred walk-on, and he'll have a chance to compete for a scholarship down the line if playing time is earned. 

"We're hoping that all his preparation and hard work Jon's put in will pay big dividends for him at Cal when he's a part of that team," said Harris, Sr.  "We know it's BCS, top-caliber competition he'll be going up against and we welcome the challenge.  I think he'll rise to meet the challenge.  We appreciate all the support Jon's gotten and he'll just use that as fuel in the tank for his competition.

"One of the games where Jon's competitiveness just really stood out was where he had 27 carries for 187 yards on the ground and he also had 26 tackles on defense in the same game, so he leaves it all out on the field.  I know I may be biased as a parent but if you want to see some character, that's it right there." 

Playing in a small-school league, it's often hard for players to garner attention and they often rely on coach's contacts and highlight film to get their foot in the door, much as was the case with standout Cal linebacker Mike Mohamed, who was far off the radar at tiny Brawley High School, but opened Cal staff's eyes with his outstanding highlight film, even as an undersized linebacker.

"My coach gave the Cal running backs coach, Ron Gould, a copy of my highlight film and they liked what they saw so they called my dad and told me they were interested me.  When I went up there to visit, that's when they offered me the preferred walk-on position at Cal.  We were excited.

"I really feel that my relationship with Coach Gould will continue to grow," said Harris.  "I really felt a connection with him.  You know how it is with some coaches where you feel like they're just there to coach you?  It's not like that with Coach Gould.  He's there to make you the best that you can be and is also there as a mentor, to help make you a better person.  I felt that's really encouraging and I really like that."

"Jon's very strong and is very bright," said Riverside Christian coach Mark Johnson.  "He was all-league and league MVP on both sides of the ball as well as all CIF and all-state as a running back.

"Even though we play in a small school league, he played at JW North High School his freshman year and was one of the strongest players on his team, so he's played against some good competition.  We were happy to get him back here after that year.  His first two years, he was mainly a blocker for us and a very good one, but as a senior, he got his chance to shine and he took advantage of it.

"I've been here 17 years and only four players went Division 1 and he's at the top of the list, talent-wise."

"Jon's from a small school and it's rare for someone to go D1 rather than jc," said Harris, Sr.  "But he's coming in as a 17 year old at the size fullbacks strive to be as seniors. 

"Jon's making history and we're proud to be a part of it."