Harris commits to playing corner
Wesley Harris, a rising prospect from Southwest High School in Fort Worth, committed to the Bears early Saturday morning after attending Baylor's Skills Camp the day before.
It was Harris' third Baylor skills camp this summer. He wanted to play for the Bears - a lot - and Baylor's coaches reciprocated with an offer on Friday. Harris, the quarterback that throws the ball to four-star Baylor wide receiver commit Robbie Rhodes, was ready to join his teammate and jumped at the chance.
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The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Harris, listed as an athlete on Rivals.com, will play cornerback at Baylor as the Bears utilize his 4.4 speed on defense.
"I really have been looking at Baylor since I was in the sixth grade," Harris said after playing and winning a 7-on-7 game Saturday afternoon. "I went down there (in the sixth grade). I went away from Baylor when I got into high school. But it came back.
"If they offered (Friday), I was going to take it."
Harris attended two Baylor camps in June - one in Waco, the other at Lake Highlands High School in Dallas. He kept showing interest in Baylor for a numbers of reasons. It's a program on the rise. Location. Rhodes. And Bears cornerbacks coach Carlton Buckels.
Harris also had a cousin, Sean Bailey, play for Briles at the University of Houston after starring at Fort Worth Dunbar.
"I know coach Briles was at Houston when my cousin was at U of H," Harris said. "If I thought about it, the school location (for Baylor) is a great location. It's not too far from home, but not too close to home. It's a good place to go to. And it's great that Robbie will be there."
Harris will continue to play quarterback his senior season at Southwest - who wouldn't want to throw the ball to Rhodes? Harris passed for 2,859 yards and 37 touchdowns last season for the Raiders (Rhodes as you know had 47-1,319-21).
"We have a good connection," Harris said of him and Rhodes, who was at Baylor's camp Friday observing while wearing a camouflage fishing hat.
Harris will also play cornerback for the first time in high school, getting a season in at his new position before heading to Baylor.
Harris said he's been able to get in a lot of work with Buckels at the camps, working on his one-on-one coverage skills, his speed turning his hips and his back-pedaling.
"Coach Buckels is a great guy," Harris said. "I like him. He's a great coach. He knows how to explain stuff. I have a good relationship with him and that's good for next level.
"I've been talking to coach Buckels for some time this year. He's making me feel comfortable about coming there and getting better and getting to the next level and that's what I want to do."
Harris is pleased with how he's been able to make plays and catch on to his new position. He's also playing cornerback in 7-on-7. He's excited about playing corner, and said he likes to hit.
"I can't wait," Harris said. "I've been playing corner in 7-on-7 tournaments as well as playing quarterback."
Harris is a confident player. He notes he's returned kicks in high school, so he's an all-around player. The transition to corner should be smooth.
Turns out going to three Baylor camps this summer paid off for the 17th verbal commitment in the 2013 Bears' class.
"It was exciting," Harris said. "I learned a lot. All the coaches made me feel like I was at home. I was excited about the plays I made."