Oregon transfer Jay Harris off to ‘outstanding’ start as a K-State running back
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Jay Harris recently transferred from Oregon to K-State and has impressed this spring.
- Coaches and teammates described Harris as physically gifted and intense in workouts.
- Harris can boost the K-State backfield as a complementary back alongside Joe Jackson.
Jay Harris passes the eye test.
At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, the senior running back who recently transferred to Kansas State from Oregon is the type of football player who can intimidate opponents simply by warming up in a sleeveless shirt. It’s hard to miss his physique.
“That dude is a freak,” K-State offensive lineman Tanner Morley said. “He’s built like a Greek God.”
“He’s very gifted physically,” added K-State offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson. “When he walks in the room, he is kind of central casting for a running back. He’s clearly been in the weight room before, and he has an intensity about him.”
For that reason, and others, Harris has made an immediate impact on his new team during spring practices.
Ask K-State football players and coaches to list the best newcomers on the roster and Harris is always included.
Harris, who is originally from St. Louis, was mostly quiet during his past two seasons at Oregon. He amassed 186 yards and three touchdowns on 52 carries with the Ducks. But he showed his potential by totaling 67 yards and scoring a touchdown during a CFP game against Indiana last season.
It sounds like he is ready to build off that performance with the Wildcats.
“Jay Harris has been outstanding,” K-State football coach Collin Klein said. “We have to try to slow him down in every walkthrough, because that guy just goes hard every single snap. He’s been tremendous, and he has a great skill set.”
He brings so much intensity to practice that K-State occasionally asks him to help out with the scout team defense. Even then, coaches have to remind him they’re “just kind of walking through right now.”
“He looks like Ed Reed back there,” Gleeson said. “I’m like, ‘Slow down, buddy.’ But he’s awesome. He’s just a great practice player, and I think that is probably why he’s had some success in his short time here.”
The last running back that Gleeson can remember working with who brought that same type of passion to practice was Isaiah Pacheco, who will play for the Detroit Lions next season. It doesn’t matter if he is stretching, running routes or fighting for tough yards, Harris seems to always give his all.
He has something to prove with the Wildcats.
“I can do a lot more than just running the ball downhill,” Haris said. “I can catch the ball and just have explosive plays, more than just picking up short yardage. I am excited to show that here.”
Harris can certainly boost the K-State backfield as a complementary running back alongside Joe Jackson next season.
Jackson ended last season on a heater, as he rushed for a combined total of 504 yards and seven touchdowns in K-State’s final three games. He is the unquestioned starter at running back, but very few running backs handle every snap. He can use some help.
It won’t surprise anyone at K-State if Harris and Jackson form an effective one-two punch next season.
Harris already looks the part of a Big 12 running back.